The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has tasked the Education Cabinet Secretary professor George Magoha with raising Ksh18 billion ahead of the planned mass reopening of schools on January 4.
The TSC Boss Nancy Macharia clarified that the funds were necessary as they sought to recruit more than 12,000 teachers.
Dr Macharia announced that the current 100% transition from Primary to Secondary School policy had generated an additional shortage of 26,804 teachers.
"The commission's target has not been met due to inadequate budgetary provision," she stated. Ksh17 billion would be used in the recruitment exercise, with Ksh1 billion allocated for training, sensitization and induction of teachers according to the TSC boss.
About 45,703 teachers have already gone through the newly launched teacher induction mentorship and coaching programme. Dr Nancy maintained that without the demanded funds, it would be difficult for teachers to work under the January 4 re-opening plan.
The CEO explained that under the new social distancing rules, classrooms had shrunk and notified teachers that they could be facing double workload compared to what they were accustomed to.
A classroom in a standard public school accommodates an average of 60 learners. However, with the current Covid-19 protocols by the Ministry of Education, each class will operate with a maximum of 25 learners. This is expected to increase a teacher's workload significantly.
Budgetary constraints have seen the commission employ 23,700 teachers instead of 50,504 as targeted. Turkana County leads in terms of primary school teachers shortage in the country. TSC records reveal that the county needs 1,762 extra teachers to attain its 100% of 3,426.
Kitui, Kakamega, Nakuru and Bungoma counties have the largest share of teachers, with the four counties being home to close to 50,000 tutors. Kakamega has the highest number of teachers – 13,846, followed by Kitui – 12,717, Bungoma – 11.396 and Nakuru – 10,316.
