The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) proposed hiring 20,000 intern teachers during the financial year 2023/2024.
CEO Nancy Macharia stated in reports to the National Assembly’s Committee on Education and Research on Monday that recruiting will enable the achievement of the objectives outlined in the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda.
“These teachers are expected to reduce the shortage in our public schools but more importantly, ensure that learners receive quality education,” she said.
She said recruitment of interns alone will have a number of spiral effects.
“One, it will create employment for the many young people who are currently unemployed. Secondly, improve the quality of education and also improve the living standards of many households across the country,” she explained.
The committee had invited Macharia to submit revenue and spending estimates for the fiscal year 2023–24.
Macharia stated that the commission is putting comprehensive medical coverage in place for teachers and their dependents.
“Currently, the medical scheme covers more than one million members across the country and is part of expanding access to quality health care envisaged in the Manifesto,” she said.
Macharia stated that the commission is committed to improving morale and job satisfaction, increasing loyalty, encouraging employees, and promoting teachers.
She regretted that many teachers had been stuck in one job group for a long time, resulting in demotivation and low production.
“This state of affairs in turn affects the provision of quality education to learners,” she stated.
Macharia stated that TSC required Sh2.2 billion to carry out teacher promotions in various job cadres.
She went on to say that the commission needs Sh2.1 billion to fund teacher professional development.
“Due to the dynamic teaching environment, professional teacher development is a prerequisite for effective teaching and learning in the classroom,” she said.
Professional development refers to the life-long procedures, institutions, and policies that enable educators (teachers, administrators, and supervisors) to acquire, widen, and deepen their knowledge, skills, and competences in order to do their jobs effectively.