Govt to Hire 24,000 Teachers: CS Ogamba Confirms Major Recruitment Plan Across Key Categories
Govt to Hire 24,000 Teachers: CS Ogamba Confirms Major Recruitment Plan Across Key Categories, The government has announced a major boost to Kenya’s education sector with plans to recruit 24,000 new teachers across various categories. This strategic move, confirmed by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, is part of a broader plan to address the longstanding teacher shortage in public schools and improve service delivery in line with ongoing education reforms.
A Game-Changer for Kenya’s Education System
While speaking during a high-level retreat held at Sarova Whitesands Beach Hotel in Mombasa, CS Ogamba highlighted that the recruitment drive aims to strengthen staffing in both primary and secondary schools, especially in underserved regions and marginalized communities.
“We are committed to improving the quality of education in Kenya. The government continues to invest heavily in the sector, currently allocating 28% of the national budget to education — well above UNESCO’s recommended 20%,” said the CS.
Objectives of the Upcoming Teacher Recruitment
The mass teacher recruitment initiative is guided by several key goals:
- Bridging the teacher-learner ratio gap in both rural and urban schools.
- Supporting Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) rollout with adequate staffing.
- Enhancing Junior Secondary School (JSS) staffing.
- Expanding educational access in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) and other marginalized areas.
- Reducing teacher workload and overcrowded classrooms.
Strict Oversight and Resource Management Measures in Place
To ensure transparency, CS Ogamba affirmed that the audit unit responsible for monitoring public school expenditures has been strengthened. He cautioned school heads against levying unauthorized fees on parents.
“Public schools receive capitation grants. Any headteacher charging extra levies will face disciplinary action,” he warned.
Expansion of the National School Feeding Programme
In tandem with teacher recruitment, the government plans to significantly scale up the National School Feeding Programme, aiming to increase the number of beneficiaries from 2.6 million to 10 million learners by 2030. The initiative will focus on:
- Urban informal settlements
- ASAL regions
- Vulnerable households facing food insecurity
The programme, supported by local and international partners, is expected to boost school attendance, concentration, and academic performance.
Progress on KCSE Certificate Release
Addressing concerns about withheld KCSE certificates, CS Ogamba reported positive developments. Most institutions have complied with the directive to release certificates, enabling thousands of former students to access their academic records.
“The majority have collected their certificates. The remaining few are in the process. The policy is working,” he said.
Higher Education Reforms Also in Motion
The Ministry is also prioritizing reforms in the public university sector, focusing on governance, research, innovation, and sustainable funding. CS Ogamba emphasized that universities will maintain autonomy, while the government plays a facilitative role.
Expected Benefits for Education Stakeholders
This upcoming teacher recruitment will offer broad benefits across the sector:
- Students – better access to learning and individual attention.
- Teachers – reduced workload and improved work environments.
- Parents – enhanced learning outcomes and reduced financial burden.
- School heads – improved workforce for delivering curriculum effectively.
A New Era for Education in Kenya
The planned recruitment of 24,000 teachers signals a strong government commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and high-performing education system. With proper implementation, this initiative will significantly address critical staffing gaps and support the successful rollout of ongoing reforms like CBC.
CS Julius Ogamba’s announcement marks a key milestone in Kenya’s education journey. With accountability mechanisms in place, increased funding, and clear reform goals, the education sector is set for transformative growth. The upcoming recruitment of 24,000 teachers will be central to realizing the promise of accessible, equitable, and quality education for all Kenyan learners.
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