Secondary schools hit with shortage of Grade 10 teachers

Secondary school principals have raised concerns over a growing shortage of teachers to handle newly introduced Grade 10 subjects under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.

The shortage is particularly acute in specialised subjects under the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pathway, which require technical expertise that many schools currently lack.

Secondary school heads say the situation has put considerable pressure on institutions barely three months after the pioneer Grade 10 learners reported to school.

Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha) chairman Willy Kuria said the introduction of new learning areas has created a high demand for teachers with specialised training, especially in STEM-related subjects.

Under the CBE framework, Grade 10 learners are required to take nine subjects, five of which are compulsory: Mathematics (core), English, Kiswahili, Community Service Learning (CSL), and Physical Education. Students must then select four additional subjects depending on their chosen pathway.

The STEM pathway includes Biology, Chemistry, Physics, General Science, Agriculture, Computer Studies, Home Science, Aviation, Building Construction, Electricity, Metalwork, Power Mechanics, Woodwork, Media Technology, and Marine and Fisheries.

However, school heads say the teacher shortage has made it difficult to deliver some of these specialised subjects effectively.

“We have tried to reorganise the teachers we have and maximise available resources, but the shortage remains a major challenge in delivering some of the specialised subjects,” Kuria said.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has acknowledged the challenge, noting that discussions are underway to find temporary solutions.

TSC Acting Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei confirmed that the commission is exploring partnerships with technical training institutions to address the gap.

However, no figures have been provided to indicate the extent of the shortage or the most affected subjects.

“We are currently in discussions with technical and vocational training institutions to explore ways of tapping into their trainers to help handle some of the specialised subjects,” Mitei said on Wednesday during an engagement forum led by the Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei.

If implemented, the arrangement could see trainers from technical colleges deployed to secondary schools to support the teaching of practical and technical learning areas.

Kuria said the shortfall has pushed school principals to find alternative ways to manage the crisis. Some schools have opted to recruit additional teachers through their Boards of Management (BoM) to bridge the gap.

The Standard has established that institutions such as Kenya High School have already called for applications to address staffing gaps.

“Many schools have had to employ additional teachers through their Boards of Management to ensure that learning continues despite the shortage,” Kuria said, warning that unless the teacher shortage is addressed quickly, schools could struggle to deliver the new curriculum effectively.

The shortfall comes as the TSC announced it will not recruit teachers for primary schools, citing a surplus at that level.

Appearing in Parliament on February 19, Mitei said TSC’s focus will now shift to junior and senior secondary schools, effectively excluding thousands of trained primary school teachers who had hoped to secure employment.

TSC Director of Staffing Antonina Lentoijoni said the transition from the 8-4-4 system and the restructuring of learning levels under the CBE has significantly reduced demand for primary school teachers.

According to TSC, the removal of Classes 7 and 8 from primary schools, following the full rollout of the CBE, has led to a sharp decline in teacher shortages at the primary level.

The Standard has established that primary schools are currently experiencing a surplus of about 18,000 teachers.

The development means many unemployed primary school teachers may have to wait longer for job opportunities, while others may be forced to retrain or seek redeployment to other learning levels.

The shift marks a major policy change in teacher employment and could significantly reshape the labour market for education graduates, particularly those trained specifically for primary education.

Instead of recruiting primary school teachers, TSC now plans to employ 16,000 teachers for junior and senior secondary schools in the 2026/2027 financial year.

Mitei said the recruitment is intended to address staffing gaps in the new education structure.