TSC Releases List of JSS Teachers Set for Transfer to Senior Schools as P1 Teachers Begin Upgrading
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced a major shake-up that will affect thousands of teachers across the country. A section of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers will be redeployed to senior schools early next year as the first Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) cohort transitions to Grade 10.
Why the Redeployment Is Necessary
A senior TSC official confirmed that the transfers are part of urgent interventions meant to avert a looming staffing crisis in senior schools. The revelation follows an admission by Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba that the government lacks enough specialized teachers to handle senior school subjects.
Speaking during Citizen TV’s Elimu Mashinani in Kilifi on September 23, 2025, CS Ogamba explained that some subject areas in senior schools remain severely understaffed. He added that with the government facing financial constraints, immediate measures must be taken to fill existing education gaps.
However, only JSS teachers employed on permanent and pensionable (pnp) terms and teaching specialized subjects will qualify for transfer.
P1 Teachers Begin World Bank-Sponsored Upgrade
At the same time, TSC is preparing to upgrade P1 teachers so that they can take over JSS classes. The program, sponsored by the World Bank, begins in November 2025.
Only teachers who scored KCSE mean grade C+ and above, with at least a C+ in two teaching subjects, will be trained. The training will last for one year, after which the teachers will be allowed to handle Grades 7, 8, and 9 even as they continue learning.
So far, TSC has listed 38,849 P1 teachers eligible for the program.
Internship Recruitment to Fill Junior School Gaps
To replace the JSS teachers moving to senior schools, TSC is recruiting 24,000 junior school teachers on a one-year internship contract.
Currently, applicants are completing document verification before signing internship agreements. Successful candidates will be posted to schools in January 2025 to support the rollout of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum.
In addition, the Education CS confirmed that the government plans to hire 16,000 more teachers in 2026 to strengthen staffing in junior schools.
Staffing Shortages and Budget Concerns
Despite these efforts, the teacher shortage remains critical. According to TSC, the Commission needs Ksh 70 billion to recruit 98,461 teachers for both JSS and senior schools.
Former TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia previously told the Senate that:
- JSS currently faces a shortage of 72,442 teachers.
- Secondary schools under the 8-4-4 system lack 26,039 teachers.
Over the past three years, TSC has recruited:
- 9,000 teachers in 2022/23.
- 39,550 teachers in 2024/25.
- 20,000 intern teachers in January 2025.
This brings the total to 68,550 teachers.
Push for Autonomy by JSS Teachers
The transfers come at a time when JSS teachers are demanding institutional autonomy. Many argue that remaining under primary school heads has led to poor management, corruption, and unclear career progression.
Currently, primary school headteachers are serving as acting principals of junior schools. TSC gave them a one-year mandate, which runs from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
