The government has disclosed the biting teacher shortage in public schools, forcing some learners to depend on live streaming of lessons to supplement face-to-face learning.
A new report by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has laid bare the magnitude of the crisis, which has left many public schools with learners without tutors.
In marginalised areas, which are bearing the brunt of the shortages, the ministry has resorted to virtual classes to deliver content to the learners.
“The Commission has initiated innovative teaching methods, that is, live streaming lessons, to supplement face-to-face in schools with significant teacher shortages, particularly in remote areas,” Ogamba told Parliament.
Speaking on the floor of the House on Wednesday, the CS said the country is in urgent need of 98,461 teachers to alleviate the crisis in public schools.
Ogamba identified Mandera, Turkana, Wajir, West Pokot and Garissa counties as the hardest hit.
In the secondary schools category, Kakamega, Bungoma, Homa Bay, Trans Nzoia, Bomet and Siaya were most affected.
The CS blamed the shortage on budgetary constraints.
“Pursuant to Article 237 (2) of the Constitution, the Teachers Service Commission strives to optimally staff public schools to ensure that learners’ right to quality education is achieved,” Ogamba told MPs.
“It is acknowledged that the ideal staffing levels have not been achieved in public schools due to budgetary constraints. In 2025, the teacher shortage stands at 98,461 teachers.”
Ogamba was responding to questions by Kajiado Central MP Elijah Memusi who had sought information on the staffing level of teachers in both primary and secondary schools.
Memusi also sought answers on the counties with significant shortages, including measures to ensure that the existing teaching gaps are addressed.
To address the situation, Ogamba noted that the government has resorted to a number of interventions including live streaming of lessons to supplement face-to-face learning.
“To address teacher shortage, the Teachers Service Commission has implemented an annual plan. The commission’s strategic plan outlines an obligation to recruit 22,374 additional teachers annually to progressively address teacher shortage,” Ogamba said.
“In addition to recruitment of permanent and pensionable teachers, the Commission annually seeks budgetary allocation to engage 20,000 teacher interns, who provide immediate staffing support while awaiting full time employment.”
The escalating shortage has triggered a national outcry with political leaders accusing the government of neglect.
Some lawmakers – especially from the affected regions, have accused the government of paying lip service while students suffer.
Ogamba also reiterated that the government has so far recruited and deployed 76,378 teachers since the introduction of Junior Secondary School in 2023.
Then, the government recruited 9,000 JSS teachers to kick start the new system that succeeded the 8-4-4 old model.
This year, the ministry converted 39,550 intern teachers to permanent and pensionable tutors.
Ogamba also told the House that the government has been deploying qualified teachers to take up the JSS slots to combat the shortages.
So far, 8,378 primary school teachers have been deployed to Junior School.
“The deployment portal remains open to allow willing and qualified primary school teachers to apply for Junior School positions,” Ogamba stated.
“Noting the right of every learner to quality education, the government has put in place measures such as posting of recruits to Junior School and deployment of qualified primary school teachers to Junior School to ensure that all junior Schools are assigned teachers.”
