TSC Will Confirm Interns and Begin Hiring Teachers for Grade 8.
TSC Will Confirm Interns and Begin Hiring Teachers for Grade 8. Before the commencement of the Grade 8 school year in 2019, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is embarking on a significant endeavor to recruit junior secondary school (JSS) teachers.
This massive recruitment drive comes on the heels of a substantial budget increase, making it possible for the TSC to hire thousands of new teachers and secure a brighter future for education in Kenya.
Two weeks ago, the Commission received a windfall of Sh19.81 billion in additional funding, a testament to the government’s commitment to strengthening the education sector.
With this infusion of funds, the TSC’s budget has surged from Sh323.82 billion to Sh343.6 billion, providing much-needed financial resources to fulfill their ambitious hiring plans.
President William Ruto, in an address during Mombasa’s Taxpayers Day celebrations, revealed that the government would inject an additional Sh19.7 billion into the TSC’s budget to hire more teachers.
This funding will be disbursed through a supplemental budget awaiting National Assembly approval. The supplementary budget, once approved, is expected to allocate a total of Sh62 billion to the education sector.
“We’ve increased our TSC budget by Sh20 billion because we’re on a mission to hire more instructors. This year, we’re looking to employ approximately 56,000 new teachers,” Ruto stated, highlighting the government’s unwavering commitment to improving the state of education in Kenya.
One of the key priorities for the TSC is addressing the impending expiration of contracts for 20,000 intern teachers hired in February of this year.
While the initial budget allocation in July did not account for the necessary funding, the Commission is determined to verify the status of these intern teachers under the revised budget allocation.
The PTE-certified instructors will start their careers in grade B5, while graduate intern teachers will be placed in job group C2, offering them competitive compensation and opportunities for professional development.
The recent wave of teacher recruitment has been a significant achievement for the Kenya Kwanza administration in addressing the longstanding teacher shortage.
Over the past year, 35,790 new teachers have been brought into the education system, making substantial progress in closing the gap.
It is noteworthy that 3,986 interns were hired by primary schools, with 1,000 of them securing permanent and pensionable positions.
Moreover, 9,000 teachers were recruited for junior secondary schools on permanent, pensionable terms, and 21,365 were engaged as junior school interns.
The scale of this recruitment effort is unprecedented compared to previous administrations, which typically hired around 5,000 teachers per year. “This year, the government has recruited 35,000 teachers, a record number in recent history,” President Ruto proudly declared in July.
The administration’s goal is to hire an additional 25,000 teachers by August, ensuring that every child in Kenya has access to a high-quality education.
The supplementary budget, providing an additional Sh62 billion to the education sector, reflects a substantial increase in funding for the current fiscal year.
This year’s allocation stands at Sh628.6 billion, a significant rise from previous years.
President Ruto highlighted the government’s commitment to improving education, stating, “Last year, the allocation for education ranged from Sh545 billion to Sh690 billion.
This year’s budget, when combined with the supplemental budget, represents an additional Sh145 billion for education. We believe that every child in Kenya deserves an opportunity to thrive, and that’s why we are making these deliberate investments in education.”
In addition to enhancing the capacity of the education sector, the supplementary budget also focuses on scholarships under the new funding model.
It substantially supports the State Department for Higher Education and Research, which is set to receive an additional Sh29.3 billion, bringing the overall budget for this department to Sh157.9 billion.
Ruto emphasized that this investment is essential for building a stronger human capital base in Kenya.
“We are allocating a remarkable Sh48 billion to our universities, which will pave the way for the development of a more robust human capital pool,” he explained.
This significant investment in higher education demonstrates the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and research, as well as producing highly skilled individuals who can contribute to the country’s progress.
In conclusion, the Teachers Service Commission‘s massive recruitment drive for junior secondary school teachers, along with the additional budgetary support, represents a significant leap forward in improving the state of education in Kenya.
With increased funding, the government is addressing the teacher shortage and focusing on enhancing the quality of education for all students.
This investment in education, from primary schools to higher education institutions, underscores the government’s commitment to building a stronger and more capable workforce, ensuring a brighter future for the nation.
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