The government has announced an ambitious plan to recruit 24,000 new teachers by January 2026, marking a major milestone in Kenya’s ongoing education reforms. According to Education Cabinet Secretary Dr. Migos, this move will push the total number of teachers hired in the past three years to 100,000, a record achievement in Kenya’s education sector.
Speaking during the World Teachers’ Day celebrations at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, CS Migos highlighted that the government is committed to addressing the long-standing shortage of teachers while improving education quality across all levels.
“Seventy-six thousand teachers have already been employed, and 24,000 more will be recruited by January 2026,” said CS Migos. “An additional 16,000 teachers will be hired later in the year, as we continue addressing the long-standing teacher shortage that has affected our education system for years.”
The announcement received applause from teachers, education stakeholders, and union officials who attended the event themed “The Teachers We Need for the Education We Want.”
A Major Step in Education Reform
The recruitment drive is part of the broader Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and Competency-Based Education (CBE) reforms, which aim to improve access to quality education and strengthen teacher capacity. According to Dr. Migos, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) will oversee the entire recruitment process to ensure equitable distribution and transparency.
He added that the reforms are designed to make sure every learner—whether in urban or rural Kenya—benefits from the guidance of a trained and motivated teacher. The government’s focus on teacher welfare complements other reforms outlined in Goodbye CPG: How TSC’s New Promotion System Will Work in 2025, which detail how career growth and performance-based promotions are being streamlined under TSC’s new digital systems.
TSC’s Role and Teacher Distribution Challenges
The Teachers Service Commission continues to grapple with staffing disparities, where some schools remain overstaffed while others—especially Junior Secondary Schools (JSS)—are severely understaffed. TSC data reveals that despite several recruitment phases, the country still faces a shortage of over 70,000 teachers.
Officials at the Commission have indicated that the upcoming recruitment will prioritize JSS institutions and rural areas. Thousands of JSS teachers currently serving on internship contracts have been appealing for confirmation on permanent and pensionable terms.
“We have listened to the concerns of our teachers, and we are working with the government to progressively absorb the remaining interns,” a senior TSC official told KenyanTeachers.com on condition of anonymity.
This approach is expected to bring relief to unemployed teachers and stabilize learning in newly established CBC classrooms.
Unions Welcome the Move but Demand Permanent Terms
Teacher unions, including KNUT and KUPPET, have cautiously welcomed the announcement. However, both have insisted that job security and fair pay must remain top priorities.
KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori said the government should first confirm intern teachers before bringing in new recruits.
“We appreciate the progress, but it is unfair to celebrate recruitment while thousands of teachers are still working on temporary terms. The TSC should first confirm all intern teachers before hiring new ones,” Misori stated.
Similarly, KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu emphasized that the success of education reforms depends on teacher motivation and welfare.
“Teachers are the backbone of reform. We cannot implement CBC successfully while the professionals driving it face job insecurity,” said Oyuu.
This ongoing demand for fairness in employment echoes sentiments shared in TSC Promotion Interview Mistakes Teachers Should Avoid, where many teachers revealed frustration with opaque hiring and promotion procedures.
Education Stakeholders Laud the Move
Education organizations such as KEPSHA and KESSHA have expressed optimism that the additional recruitment will ease workloads, especially in JSS institutions.
KEPSHA National Chairperson Johnson Nzioka said the move will enhance classroom efficiency and improve learner performance.
“The shortage of teachers has been one of the biggest challenges since the rollout of JSS. This new phase of recruitment will help stabilize learning and improve learner outcomes,” he said.
Meanwhile, KESSHA called on TSC to adopt a transparent and equitable deployment strategy, ensuring that hardship and remote areas benefit equally from the upcoming recruitment phase.
Teacher Shortage and CBC Implementation
Kenya’s education transition from 8-4-4 to CBC has magnified the demand for skilled teachers, particularly at the Grade 7 to 9 levels. The TSC estimates that 42,000 more JSS teachers are required to meet the needs of the CBC system.
Experts caution that while recruitment is critical, continuous professional development (CPD) and training in modern teaching methods are equally vital. In TSC 2025 Promotion Interview Documents You Must Have, teachers were reminded that professional preparedness is a key determinant of advancement in the modern education system.
Education analyst Dr. Millicent Wambui added that the government must also focus on teacher digital literacy.
“Recruitment alone won’t fix education quality. Teachers must be equipped with digital and AI-based teaching skills to keep up with evolving learning needs,” she said.
This aligns with discussions from AI Tools for Mathematics Teachers, where educators are encouraged to embrace digital tools to enhance classroom delivery.
Linking Recruitment with Technology and Future Reforms
CS Migos emphasized that the teacher recruitment drive also aligns with Kenya’s Digital Education Strategy, which integrates technology in classroom teaching. He revealed that newly hired teachers will undergo training on digital pedagogy, AI-assisted learning tools, and smart classroom techniques.
“Every new teacher joining the service will be trained to use technology in lesson delivery and assessment. This will ensure our schools remain globally competitive,” said the CS.
The Ministry of Education is partnering with UNESCO, UNICEF, and Google for Education to provide digital learning infrastructure and professional training.
Looking Ahead: Permanent Solutions Needed
While the 24,000-teacher recruitment announcement brings renewed hope, education analysts have called for long-term employment policies. They warn that reliance on short-term contracts or internships creates uncertainty and undermines morale.
Experts agree that confirming interns, promoting deserving teachers, and ensuring continuous professional growth are essential for sustained reform success.
Conclusion
The government’s plan to hire 24,000 teachers by January 2026 is a major step toward resolving Kenya’s teacher shortage and strengthening education quality. As reforms continue, the collaboration between the Ministry of Education, TSC, and teacher unions will determine how effective these changes are in the long run.
The next phase of recruitment should prioritize transparency, fairness, and career progression, ensuring that every teacher not only has a job but also a reason to stay motivated in shaping the future of Kenyan learners.
