The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has identified five teaching areas currently experiencing a shortage of qualified teachers, offering fresh career guidance to students preparing to join universities in September 2026.
TSC Chairperson Jamleck Muturi said the commission urgently requires more teachers specialising in music, creative arts, home science, woodwork and metalwork. He made the announcement during the Kenya Music Festival Gala in Bungoma County, where he encouraged universities to guide incoming students towards programmes that could help address the staffing gaps.
According to Muturi, demand for specialised teachers has increased as schools continue implementing the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum. The new education system has expanded the need for educators with specific technical, creative and practical skills.
The TSC chairperson urged universities and career advisers to make students aware of the opportunities available in the identified areas. Students who are still considering their university courses could therefore explore programmes connected to subjects facing shortages.
However, prospective university students have been encouraged to consider their academic strengths, personal interests and admission requirements before making decisions about their courses.
Promotion Of Teachers
The commission is also planning to promote 34,016 teachers in the coming weeks as part of efforts to strengthen career progression within the teaching profession. The planned promotions are expected to provide opportunities for teachers to advance to higher grades.
Muturi said the promotion process follows an agreement between TSC and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), reached under the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in July 2025.
The commission is additionally reviewing its Career Progression Guidelines, which have been in place since 2018, following consultations with teachers’ unions.
The review is expected to address challenges affecting teacher advancement and improve career progression.
For students interested in education, the identified shortage areas could provide promising opportunities as Kenya expands the CBE curriculum and demand for specialised teachers continues to grow.