The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has disclosed a Shs 10 billion shortfall in funding for teachers’ medical cover, even as it unveiled plans to recruit 16,000 additional teachers in the 2026/2027 financial year.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Education at Parliament Buildings, Acting TSC CEO Evelyn Mitei revealed that while Shs 16.5 billion had been allocated for teachers’ health insurance under the Social Health Authority (SHA), the actual requirement stands at Shs 26.5 billion.
“We have onboarded more than 400,000 teachers and one million dependants into the SHA scheme,” Mitei told the Committee.
“However, the cost of providing adequate health services to all members continues to rise as we employ more teachers.”
Her remarks came amid sharp questioning from lawmakers who cited confusion and delayed access to medical services nationwide.
“We are working closely with SHA to resolve onboarding challenges and to ensure teachers across the country can access quality medical services,” Mitei assured MPs.
Committee Chair Julius Melly pressed for urgency, warning that delays in implementation were affecting morale in the teaching fraternity.
Mitei acknowledged early operational setbacks, stating, “We admit there have been teething problems in sensitisation and onboarding, but SHA has committed to streamlining the system.”
She further appealed for legislative backing to close the deficit, noting, “Without additional funding, service delivery may be strained, and we urge Parliament to support us in bridging this gap.”
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MPs are expected to factor the health cover deficit into their recommendations when tabling the Education sector budget report before the House.
At the same time, the Commission announced plans to recruit 16,000 additional teachers at a cost of Shs 1.9 billion, primarily targeting Junior and Senior Schools to ease staffing pressure resulting from the Competency-Based Curriculum transition.
“In the past three years, we have recruited 100,000 teachers,” Mitei stated. “The 2026/27 plan continues this trajectory as we address shortages created by the Competency-Based Curriculum.”
Kenya currently faces a teacher deficit estimated at 116,000 nationwide. However, MPs questioned why the Commission had not included primary school recruitment.
“With the transition of learners to Junior Secondary, there is reduced demand at the primary level,” Mitei explained. “But new pathways in upper levels require additional teachers.”
Beyond recruitment, the Commission intends to allocate Shs 2 billion for promotions and Shs 1.5 billion to retool teachers for emerging learning areas under CBC.
Mitei cautioned that broader reforms could stall without additional funding. “We have no allocation for acting allowances, yet teachers continue to shoulder administrative responsibilities,” she told lawmakers.
She added, “We appeal for Parliament’s support to ensure smooth implementation of the new administrative structure for Junior Schools.”
The Committee is expected to scrutinise the proposed Shs 422.9 billion TSC budget before submitting its recommendations to the National Assembly, as debates intensify over staffing, promotions, and equitable distribution of education resources across the country.
By Joseph Mambili
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