- TSC Chairperson Jamleck Muturi has urged university-bound students to consider subjects experiencing teacher shortages.
- He says shortages are particularly severe in specialised learning areas introduced or expanded under CBE.
- Muturi says pursuing courses aligned with these areas could improve graduates’ chances of securing employment.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Chairperson Jamleck Muturi has urged students joining universities in September to consider pursuing courses in subjects facing acute teacher shortages in the country.
Speaking during the Kenya Music Festival Gala in Bungoma County, Muturi said the shortage is particularly severe in subjects introduced under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum.
He identified Music and Creative Arts, Aviation and Marine Engineering among areas where the country has a limited number of qualified teachers.
Other CBE subjects experiencing shortages, according to Muturi, include Performing Arts, Computer Studies, Indigenous Languages, Sports Science, Home Science and Agriculture.
Muturi encouraged students who have already secured university admission to consider changing their courses and enrolling in programmes aligned with the areas experiencing teacher shortages.
He said pursuing such courses could increase their chances of securing employment after graduation, given the demand for teachers in the affected subjects.
The TSC chairperson’s remarks come as universities prepare to admit new students for the September intake, with thousands of young Kenyans expected to begin their higher education journey.
The shift to CBE has introduced and expanded learning areas that require teachers with specialised training and skills. The demand for qualified personnel in these subjects is expected to grow as more learners progress through the new education system.
Employment prospects
Muturi’s advice is likely to influence students and parents as they make decisions on university courses, particularly at a time when employment prospects remain a major consideration when choosing careers.
He urged prospective university students to look beyond traditional courses and consider emerging areas where there are clear opportunities for employment.
The TSC has continued to face challenges in meeting the demand for teachers across different levels of education, with shortages particularly affecting specialised subjects.
Muturi’s call therefore places emphasis on aligning university training with the changing needs of the education sector and the labour market.
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For students yet to finalise their university choices, the identified subjects could offer an opportunity to pursue careers with relatively higher demand for qualified teachers.
By Nyongesa Wekesa
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