The government is planning to send its unemployed teachers to work abroad, offering thousands of trained educators a fresh path to employment while expanding the country’s presence in the international education sector.
This was revealed after the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) introduced a policy framework and guidelines that will facilitate the placement of qualified teachers in foreign schools through formal agreements with other countries and international institutions.
The framework, designed to ease joblessness among teachers, strengthen Kenya’s role in the global teaching workforce, and create structured pathways for educators seeking international exposure will guide the procedure of placing teachers to international schools globally.
This is a big relief to the surging numbers of unemployed teachers in the country, who continue to grapple with the sting of joblessness despite having qualified certificates.
According to TSC records, the country has registered over 714,000 teachers. Out of these, about 400,000 are on permanent and pensionable terms, leaving nearly half without secure jobs. This is despite a nationwide shortage of more than 130,000 teachers across public schools.
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Data from the Commission shows that junior secondary schools are lacking 72,422 teachers, while senior secondary schools face a shortfall of 65,070. This represents deficits of 49 per cent and 33 per cent, respectively.
According to the Commission, the new policy aims to promote Kenyan education standards internationally, encourage cooperation in teacher exchange, and give teachers sustainable opportunities for career growth abroad.
The framework outlines how teachers will be selected, matched with suitable openings, and deployed through formal agreements between Kenya and foreign governments or institutions.
The Commission has said that it will create a central database of qualified teachers willing to work abroad and regularly update it to match candidates with available positions.
“Teachers employed on permanent and pensionable terms who choose to take up foreign jobs will have to resign first, but will be allowed to reapply for vacancies upon their return. Their international experience will be assessed and recognised through the Recognition of Prior Learning (2021) framework.” TSC said
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“The Commission will liaise with the Ministries of Labour and Social Security and Foreign Affairs to advocate for clear, fair and competitive terms and conditions of service for Kenyan teachers employed outside Kenya,” states the policy.
The policy further states that the Commission will advocate for standardised contracts detailing all aspects of service, including salary, working hours, benefits, housing, insurance and repatriation terms, in line with international best practices.
To prepare teachers for their assignments abroad, the Commission plans to conduct pre-departure training covering security, health, travel procedures, contractual obligations and cultural orientation.
The policy explains that teachers returning from foreign postings will not be automatically re-employed but can apply for vacancies. Their overseas exposure will count towards professional development and progression within TSC.
By Juma Ndigo
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