TSC teacher shortages 2026
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has raised concern over significant shortages of qualified teachers in several subject areas, particularly those introduced or strengthened under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum.
TSC Chairperson Jamleck Muturi highlighted the staffing gaps during the Kenya Music Festival Gala in Bungoma County on Tuesday. He encouraged students preparing to join universities in September to consider pursuing courses in disciplines where the country currently faces a shortage of teachers.
Among the areas specifically mentioned were music, creative arts, home science, woodwork and metalwork, alongside several other specialised subjects.
“Allow me to inform the country that we have a very serious shortage of teachers in the following areas: music, creative arts, home science, woodwork, metalwork, and quite a number of those areas,” Muturi said.
TSC Encourages Students to Consider Shortage Areas
With thousands of students expected to begin university studies in September, Muturi urged universities to guide students who may be willing to change their courses towards disciplines experiencing teacher shortages.
He said students who have already secured university admission could consider switching to relevant programmes that would eventually provide them with opportunities in the teaching profession.
The remarks come at a time when schools are adapting to the requirements of the CBE curriculum, increasing the demand for teachers with specialised skills in various practical and creative disciplines.
TSC Plans to Promote 34,016 Teachers
In a separate announcement, Muturi revealed that the Teachers Service Commission is planning to promote 34,016 teachers in the coming weeks.
Teachers serving in areas affected by staffing shortages are expected to benefit from the promotion exercise, subject to the applicable requirements and available positions.
The announcement follows an agreement reached between TSC and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) aimed at improving and streamlining the teacher promotion process.
The agreement was signed in June 2026 and followed the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) entered into by the two parties in July 2025.
The revised arrangements are expected to address some of the challenges teachers have faced when seeking career advancement.
Career Progression Guidelines Under Review
According to Muturi, TSC has been engaging teachers’ unions over the past year as part of efforts to review the Career Progression Guidelines.
The guidelines, which have been in use since 2018, determine how teachers progress through different grades and positions within the teaching service.
Muturi said the consultations are aimed at identifying and addressing challenges within the existing promotion framework.
“For the last year, we have been engaging with the unions, based on the signed CBA that we did in July last year. One of the issues that we have been looking at is the review of the career progression guideline for teachers,” he said.
The review is expected to improve the promotion process and reduce bottlenecks that may have affected teachers seeking career progression.
Subjects Facing Teacher Shortages
The subject areas specifically identified by the TSC chairperson include:
- Music
- Creative Arts
- Home Science
- Woodwork
- Metalwork
Muturi also referred to several other areas experiencing shortages but did not provide a complete list during his address.
Most of the identified disciplines are closely linked to the practical, creative and technical components of the CBE curriculum, making the availability of suitably trained teachers increasingly important.
What the Shortages Mean for University Students
The TSC’s announcement could provide useful guidance to students currently choosing or considering university courses.
Students interested in pursuing teaching careers may want to research programmes related to subjects where shortages have been reported. However, prospective students should also consider university entry requirements, their academic strengths, professional interests and the specific requirements for registration and employment as teachers.
For TSC, addressing the shortages will require continued recruitment, deployment and development of teachers with the skills needed to support the changing curriculum.
TSC’s Staffing and Promotion Agenda
The announcement of teacher shortages and the planned promotion of 34,016 teachers point to two key areas currently receiving attention within the commission: staffing and career progression.
As schools continue implementing CBE, the demand for teachers in specialised subject areas is expected to remain an important human-resource issue.
At the same time, TSC’s engagement with teachers’ unions on the Career Progression Guidelines is expected to shape how future promotions are handled.
The commission’s staffing plans, teacher promotions and ongoing review of career progression arrangements will therefore remain significant issues for teachers and university students seeking to enter the profession.
TSC teacher shortages 2026
