Education stakeholders have urged last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates aspiring to join the teaching profession to consider training in technical subjects in order to address an emerging human resource gap under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.
Speaking during the admission of Grade 10 learners in various secondary schools in Kisii and Nyamira counties, school principals noted that while many institutions were adequately staffed in traditional subjects, there was a shortage of teachers in newly introduced technical and creative pathways.
Kenyoro Secondary School Principal, Mr Evans Angwenyi, said schools were facing a deficit of teachers in subjects such as music, sports science, electricity, woodwork, computer studies, home science and the arts. He appealed to qualified teacher trainees, including diploma holders and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates, to diversify beyond sciences and humanities.
“Most schools already have enough science teachers, but we urgently need instructors in the arts and sports science pathways to effectively implement the new curriculum,” said Angwenyi.
On the ongoing retooling of teachers to support the transition to CBE, Angwenyi noted that educators could only be retooled in subjects they had previously trained in. He explained that teachers wishing to handle new subjects outside their area of specialisation would be required to undertake fresh training.
Kebirigo Secondary School Principal, Mr Clement Nyangacha, said his institution, which has the capacity to admit 700 Grade 10 learners, was experiencing uncertainty in staffing due to the introduction of new subjects under the curriculum. He called on the Ministry of Education to fast-track the deployment of teachers to ensure all learning pathways are fully supported.
“There is a clear manpower gap in some pathways, and without adequate staffing, effective implementation of CBE will be a challenge,” Nyangacha said.
Kenyoro Secondary School Director of Studies, Mr Gedion Joshua Ochogo, noted that Grade 10 learners under the Curriculum-Based Evaluation were already reporting to school, with numbers expected to increase before the Friday reporting deadline.
Ochogo said the school would offer three pathways—STEM, arts and social sciences, and sports science—allowing learners to choose electives based on their interests and abilities. He added that the institution had introduced new facilities for building construction, French and electricity, while home science would be rolled out once resources become available.
Meanwhile, Kenyoro Secondary School Board of Management Chairperson, Mr Kobingi Nyakeya, said the school had adequate infrastructure, including 13 underutilised classrooms. He expressed optimism that increased enrolment and improved staffing would support the school’s bid to be elevated to extra-county status.
By Jane Naitore and Violet Abala
