The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has released the distribution of shortlisted applicants county by county for the World Bank-sponsored P1 teacher upgrade programme, which will officially launched in November.

The initiative aims to transform Kenya’s primary education workforce by elevating P1 certificate holders to diploma and degree levels in readiness for deployment to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS).

Under the plan, successful teachers will pursue studies at institutions such as Kenyatta University and Mount Kenya University, with tuition and learning resources fully funded by the World Bank. The program targets explicitly teachers with a KCSE mean grade of C (plain) and at least a C+ in two teaching subjects, while excluding those already holding higher qualifications.

Fresh data released by TSC paints a picture of sharp disparities across the counties. Kakamega emerged at the top of the list with 4,169 applicants, followed by Bungoma (2,206), Nakuru (1,672), Homa Bay (1,569), and Kisumu (1,456). Other counties with strong representation include Murang’a (1,410), Siaya (1,390), Migori (1,358), Meru (1,259), and Narok (1,150).

On the opposite end, smaller counties recorded far fewer numbers. Makueni posted the lowest tally at just 44 applicants, with Lamu (86), Marsabit (104), Wajir (151), and Isiolo (153) also ranking among the bottom five. Samburu, Tana River, Mombasa, Mandera, and Laikipia completed the bottom 10, each posting fewer than 300 applicants.

In total, 38,849 teachers across all 47 counties were verified as eligible, a critical milestone toward meeting the demand for junior school teachers.

The allocation comes against a pressing shortfall in Junior Secondary staffing. Current figures reveal a deficit of 72,442 teachers, despite TSC having recruited 68,550 teachers since 2022. An additional 24,000 interns are set to be deployed in January 2026, while 1,450 P1 teachers will join JSS by September 2025.

TSC, in its directive to county officers, stressed that the driving force behind the program is to ensure junior schools operate at optimum staffing levels. “This is not just routine training but a transformative program that guarantees quality teaching for our children,” the Commission noted.

Distribution of Applicants by County

Education experts say the programme is a game-changer. For teachers, it removes the financial burden of pursuing advanced studies, guarantees promotion from Job Group C1 to C2, and provides pathways to leadership roles. For learners, it promises improved instruction and stronger delivery of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

For many long-serving P1 teachers, particularly those in underserved counties, this is the long-awaited opportunity to rise academically and professionally. And for TSC, the program signals a decisive step in professionalising the teaching service, aligning with Vision 2030 and SDG 4 on quality education.

By Joseph Mambili

You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE  and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.

>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories

 >>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape

>>> Click here to stay ahead with the latest national news.