Thousands of aspiring primary school teachers in Kenya face a prolonged wait for employment, as the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has imposed an indefinite freeze on new hires at that level.
The decision, announced during a recent appearance before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education, stems directly from the transition to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Acting TSC CEO Evelyn Mitei explained that phasing out the 8-4-4 system has significantly reduced demand for primary teachers, creating a surplus in lower grades while shortages intensify in junior and senior secondary schools.
“With the transition of learners to Junior Secondary, there is reduced demand at primary level, but new pathways in upper levels require additional teachers,” Mitei told lawmakers on February 19, 2026.
The national teacher shortage stands at approximately 116,000, with the bulk concentrated in junior and senior secondary institutions. To address this imbalance, TSC plans to recruit 16,000 additional teachers specifically for these upper levels in the 2026/27 financial year, at an estimated cost of KSh 1.9 billion.
This move builds on recent efforts: over the past three years, the commission has hired 100,000 teachers overall. Yet primary recruitment remains off the table, as the CBC restructuring—eliminating upper primary classes and shifting learners upward—has left many primary schools adequately staffed or even overstaffed in some areas.
The policy has sparked concern among educators and unions, who warn of potential strain on existing primary staff through increased workloads, retirements without replacements, and uneven distribution across regions. Rural and underserved schools, in particular, may still feel the pinch despite the reported surplus.
In its budget submission, TSC is seeking a total of Sh422.9 billion for the upcoming period, including funds for teacher promotions (Sh2 billion), retooling educators for CBC demands (Sh1.5 billion), and converting 20,000 interns to permanent and pensionable terms (Sh7.2 billion). These measures aim to boost morale, improve job security, and support the ongoing curriculum reforms.
While the focus on secondary hiring aligns with CBC’s emphasis on specialized pathways and senior school rollout, critics argue the primary freeze overlooks persistent challenges like teacher burnout and attrition. Teacher unions have welcomed elements of the plan but called for more balanced support across all levels to safeguard education quality nationwide.
As Kenya navigates this pivotal shift in its education system, the hiring freeze underscores a clear reality: primary teachers may remain sidelined for the foreseeable future, even as the country races to fill gaps higher up the ladder. The coming months will test whether fiscal constraints and strategic priorities can deliver equitable solutions for the entire teaching workforce.
