TSC Calls Back Teachers Who Work at CEMASTEA in a Surprise Move Before Term Three
In a move that has shocked education stakeholders across the country, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has ordered the recall of all 24 teachers currently seconded to the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA). The development, communicated through an official letter from the Ministry of Education (MoE) in early June 2025, comes just weeks before the opening of Term Three, raising questions about the future of capacity building in STEM education.
Ministry of Education Confirms the Recall
The directive was formally conveyed to CEMASTEA CEO Mrs Jacinta Akatsa in a letter signed by Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Prof. Julius K. Bitok. Citing correspondence from TSC dated May 27, 2025, Prof. Bitok noted that the Commission had opted to redeploy all teachers currently serving at CEMASTEA.
“The Commission informed us of their decision to recall the 24 teachers at CEMASTEA for appropriate deployment,” the letter reads.
Prof. Bitok further directed the institution to notify the affected staff and support a smooth transition ahead of their reassignment. The Ministry has given a firm deadline of August 28, 2025, for the process to be concluded — the day Term Three officially begins in Kenyan schools.
Redeployment or Retention? The Future of Affected Teachers Uncertain
While the Ministry’s letter suggests that the teachers may either be transferred to new schools or retained at CEMASTEA under new terms, no official communication has yet confirmed the final decision. This ambiguity is causing concern among the teaching fraternity, especially given CEMASTEA’s critical role in training mathematics and science teachers across Kenya.
“It remains unclear whether all 24 teachers will be posted elsewhere or retained under new terms,” said an official familiar with the situation.
Education unions are expected to issue formal statements in the coming days, with the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) likely to seek clarification from TSC on the reasons behind the withdrawal and its impact on education quality.
What is CEMASTEA and Why This Recall Matters
CEMASTEA, based in Nairobi, is a regional centre of excellence for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) teacher training, offering professional development for Kenyan and African educators in mathematics and science. It was established to enhance teacher pedagogy, subject mastery, and student performance in key disciplines.
Over the years, CEMASTEA has relied heavily on experienced teachers seconded by TSC to conduct national in-service programs. These teachers are considered specialists in math, physics, chemistry, biology, and ICT integration — and their sudden recall could disrupt curriculum delivery and training programs just as schools prepare for national exams and the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) rollout in senior secondary.
“Without TSC-backed facilitators, the future of in-service STEM training could be in jeopardy,” warned a former trainer at the institution.
Why Now? Possible Policy and Budgetary Shifts
While TSC has yet to issue a public explanation, education insiders speculate that the move may be linked to new policy or funding directives aimed at rationalising teacher deployment across the country. Given the nationwide teacher shortage, especially in junior secondary schools, the Commission may be under pressure to redistribute personnel to fill emerging classroom gaps.
It is also possible that TSC wants to formalise the employment status of CEMASTEA staff, transitioning them from TSC-deployed roles to institutionally hired positions under the Ministry or Public Service Commission.
Another theory is that the Ministry may be exploring a shift from traditional face-to-face training models toward digitally delivered in-service learning, thus reducing the need for full-time on-site trainers.
Stakeholder Reactions and Implications
The move is already drawing attention from education unions, curriculum experts, and regional education officers, many of whom have expressed concern over the timing and impact on STEM education reforms. With the CBC rollout intensifying, especially in senior secondary, the withdrawal of seasoned facilitators from CEMASTEA could result in training gaps for teachers in public schools.
“We urge the TSC to consult widely before implementing such drastic redeployments. CEMASTEA plays a vital role in capacity-building for mathematics and science educators,” said a KUPPET official in Nairobi.
What Next?
CEMASTEA has been instructed to notify all affected teachers immediately and facilitate their release by the set deadline. However, unless clear deployment letters are issued in time, some teachers may remain in limbo regarding their next station.
The Ministry’s assurance of a “seamless transition” will depend on how fast the TSC can reassign the educators and whether the centre will continue operating at its current capacity without the seconded staff.
Conclusion
The withdrawal of 24 teachers from CEMASTEA by the Teachers Service Commission comes at a sensitive time for Kenya’s education sector. With heightened focus on CBC implementation, STEM education reform, and teacher shortages, the move has triggered concern across boardrooms and classrooms alike.
As Term Three approaches, all eyes will be on the Ministry of Education and TSC to clarify their long-term strategy for teacher deployment and institutional staffing. Whether CEMASTEA will be allowed to independently hire trainers or receive new support from the Ministry remains a critical question — one that could shape the future of teacher training in Kenya.
