Senior schools hit by shortage of teachers for new Grade 10 subjects

It has now emerged that senior schools are battling a major shortage of teachers in new subjects in Grade 10, raising fresh concerns about the implementation of the Competency-Based Education (CBE).

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) says universities will have to urgently begin training teachers in the new learning areas to avert a staffing crisis.

The affected subjects include Marine and Fisheries Technology, Aviation Studies, Performing Arts, Fine Arts, Media Technology, Leather Technology, Jewellery and Gemstone Work, Forestry and Wildlife Studies, and Marine Sciences, among others. Speaking during the release of the placement to universities for the 2025 KCSE candidates, TSC Director for Teacher Professional Development Reuben Ntamburi said the country does not have enough trained teachers in the specialised subjects introduced in senior school.

“We are requesting universities to mount programmes in these areas because we anticipate a huge demand for teachers once learners transition to senior school,” Ntamburi said. He said the commission has already engaged universities, vice chancellors and deans as part of preparations for the rollout of Grade 10 under the new curriculum.

The discussions also focused on changes to the teacher registration framework to align it with Competency-Based Education. Ntamburi said the revised framework has already undergone stakeholder consultations and is awaiting approval before being submitted to Parliament. Among the proposed changes is to lower the overall entry requirement for Diploma in Secondary Teacher Education from a mean grade of C+ to C (plain).

However, trainees will still be required to score at least a C+ in the two teaching subjects they intend to specialise in.

“The Presidential Working Party recommended that we retain the C+ in the teaching subjects but lower the overall mean grade to C so that we can attract more trainees into diploma secondary programmes,” Ntamburi said.

He said the move is expected to increase the number of teachers available for junior and senior schools where demand continues to rise.

The revised framework will also, for the first time, recognise Montessori teachers.

Ntamburi said Montessori teachers have previously been unable to register with TSC because the curriculum had not been approved by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).

“Now that KICD has approved both the curriculum and the teacher training programme, Montessori teachers will be eligible for registration,” he said.

The commission has also expanded recognition of Special Needs Education specialisations following concerns that the existing registration framework did not adequately cater for teachers in the field.

According to Ntamburi, consultations with universities identified additional specialisations that will now be recognised once the new regulations take effect.

 He said the reforms are intended to ensure teacher registration keeps pace with the changing demands of the Competency-Based Education system.