Teacher promotions, new hires to address the shortage crisis

During the presentation of this year's budget, Ndung'u emphasised that the government's ultimate goal is to improve an equitable society, which is an integral part of human capital.

"To enhance education in the country, I propose to the National Assembly an allocation of Sh628.6 billion to the sector," Ndung'u said.

"Therefore, the government will continue to address the irregularities in our education system, ensuring equal opportunities for all children regardless of their background."

TSC Chief Executive Dr Nancy Macharia assured teachers that, with the availability of funds, the commission will employ at least 25,000 teachers per year for the next five years.

Currently, each intern teacher in primary school earns a monthly salary of Sh15,000, while those in secondary schools receive Ksh 20,000.

Last year, there was a shortage of 116,000 teachers, but the government hired 36,000 teachers this year.

With the implementation of free primary education and day secondary schooling, the number of learners in schools has increased. Public primary schools have grown from 8,488,274 pupils in the 2019/20 academic year to 8,849,268 in the financial year 2021/22.

Recently, teachers' unions have been urging the government to employ more teachers and promote those who have been stagnant in the same job group.

Akelo Misori, the Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), expressed how demoralizing it is for teachers.

"Teachers have been serving in acting capacities for many years, and nobody bothers to progressively move them to the next level. This has greatly frustrated them to the extent that they cannot apply for any vacancy when announced," Misori said.