President Ruto promises recruitment of 20,000 more teachers in December

President William Ruto has pledged to recruit an additional 20,000 teachers in December as his administration moves to address staffing gaps and improve the quality of education across the country.

Speaking during the Kenya Comprehensive Schools Heads Association (KECSHA) Annual General Meeting and Conference at the Sheikh Zayed Children Welfare Centre in Nyali, Mombasa, Ruto said the planned recruitment would build on the 100,000 teachers already hired by his administration.

The President said his government was working towards an education system that equips learners with practical knowledge, relevant skills and competencies to enable them to think creatively, solve problems and develop solutions to real-world challenges.

He noted that strengthening education required sustained investment in teachers, infrastructure and school financing to ensure institutions were adequately equipped to deliver quality learning.

Ruto cited the construction of 23,000 classrooms, increased school funding and the integration of primary and junior schools under a single comprehensive school management structure as some of the measures introduced to improve education delivery. He said the reforms were intended to streamline school administration, strengthen resource allocation and create a more supportive learning environment for pupils.

On teachers' welfare, the Head of State highlighted investments in promotions, career progression and improved working conditions, maintaining that educators needed adequate support and resources to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

The announcement comes as the government continues efforts to expand the teaching workforce while schools adjust to the demands of Competency-Based Education (CBE).

Earlier, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) had outlined plans to recruit an additional 16,000 teachers by January 2027. The commission also reported that it had retooled 310,000 teachers to support the implementation of the new curriculum.

The recruitment drive is expected to ease teacher shortages and improve staffing levels, particularly in institutions facing increased demand following the expansion of basic education.

The four-day KECSHA conference brought together more than 15,000 school administrators from across the country. It provided a platform for discussions on school leadership, curriculum implementation, foundational learning and the management of comprehensive schools.

Ruto maintained that his administration's education agenda was centred on allowing every learner to succeed while ensuring that teachers receive the necessary support. He said developing a highly skilled and competent workforce remained a priority in preparing Kenya's children for future economic and technological demands.