The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has identified critical teacher shortages in subjects such as music, creative arts, home science, woodwork, and metalwork. TSC Chairperson Jamleck Muturi made the announcement during the Kenya Music Festival Gala held in Bungoma County.
Muturi appealed to students preparing to join university in September to consider enrolling in these high-demand courses to address the staffing gaps, especially in areas emphasized by the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum.
Key shortage areas highlighted by TSC:
- Music
- Creative Arts
- Home Science
- Woodwork
- Metalwork
He also encouraged students who have already secured university admission to contemplate switching their courses to these fields, citing strong employment prospects within the teaching profession.
In addition, Muturi revealed plans to promote 34,016 teachers soon, with priority consideration for those teaching in shortage subjects. This move follows a recent agreement between TSC and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) designed to streamline and expedite teacher promotions.
The agreement, rooted in the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in July 2025, aims to simplify the promotion process and resolve delays that have persisted since the Career Progression Guidelines were introduced in 2018.
Muturi emphasized that the changes are the result of extensive consultations with teachers’ unions over the past year, reflecting TSC’s commitment to improving both recruitment and career advancement in the teaching sector.
