The National government is set to implement a significant reduction in the number of students pursuing teacher training, a move that has sparked controversy across the education sector.
According to the Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok the government plans to reduce the number of individuals enrolling in teaching programs starting this year.
In an interview with a local newspaper, Bitok acknowledged the contentious nature of the decision but emphasized the necessity for action.
He explained that while the country currently trains between 70,000 and 80,000 teachers annually, the national demand is much lower, standing at approximately 40,000 teachers per year.
The oversupply of trained teachers has led to a growing number of unemployed graduates, with the Ministry of Education urging for a cap on admissions to teacher training institutions.
“More students are enrolling in teaching courses because the President has promised jobs. However, the reality is that we must reduce the number of those pursuing teaching by half starting this year. This is a controversial conversation, but it is one that we must have to ensure sustainable growth in our education system,” PS said.
The PS further pointed out that the Kenya Kwanza government had employed a total of 100,000 tutors, bringing the country closer to the internationally recommended teacher-to-student ratio. Currently, Kenya has a ratio of one teacher for every 26 students, just shy of the UNESCO-recommended ratio of one teacher for 25 students.
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Prof Bitok said achieving the ratio is crucial for guaranteeing quality education across the country.
Cabinet Secretary for Education, Julius Ogamba had revealed that over 300,000 trained teachers in Kenya are registered with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) but remain unemployed.
Last month TSC issued a notice to document unemployed teachers in the country.
There is shortage of teachers in the country; there is estimated deficit of 98,261 teachers in 2026, exacerbated by the expansion of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and the rollout of Senior Secondary Schools.
The announcement comes as students prepare to apply for university and college placements. The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) portal opened on April 7, 2026, for applications to degree and TVET programs for the 2025 KCSE class and previous cohorts. The application process runs until May 6, 2026.
However, the government’s proposed policy has faced significant opposition from universities and colleges. Last year, in a statement issued in collaboration with university vice-chancellors, academic institutions warned that limiting admissions to teacher training programs could have detrimental effects on Kenya’s education system and undermine broader job market prospects.
The institutions argued that such a move would not only exclude thousands of qualified students but could also jeopardize efforts to meet the country’s future teacher demand.
“Limiting admissions to teacher education alone will worsen the teacher shortage and undermine long-term education goals, including those outlined in the Education 2030 Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” the statement read.
University management further contended that if the government intends to cap admissions, it should apply this measure across other fields of study as well, such as business, medicine, agriculture, and engineering, which are similarly facing employment challenges.
By Obegi Malack
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