The government has highlighted increased investment in education, teacher recruitment and career progression as some of the major changes witnessed in Kenya’s education sector over the past four years. At the same time, teachers’ unions have called for further action on the welfare of ECD educators, unemployed P1 teachers and Junior Secondary School teachers.
The remarks were made during discussions around the government’s record on education and teacher welfare, with officials and union leaders outlining both achievements and areas that still require attention.
Highlights
- Government says education investment has risen to nearly 30% of the national budget.
- TSC says 100,000 teachers have been recruited over the past four years.
- About 160,000 teachers have reportedly been promoted during the same period.
- KUPPET is calling for better pay for ECD teachers and support for unemployed P1 teachers.
- Teachers’ unions want CBA negotiations shortened from four years to two.
Main Story
Government Points to Increased Education Investment
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the government has significantly increased investment in the sector over the past four years.
According to Ogamba, education spending has risen to nearly 30% of the national budget, alongside measures aimed at improving teacher welfare through recruitment, career progression and capacity building.
He also said the government remains committed to protecting the welfare of university lecturers.
Ogamba noted that outstanding arrears under the 2017–2021 and 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreements have been cleared, while the government intends to negotiate and conclude future CBAs on time, including the 2025–2029 agreement.
100,000 Teachers Recruited
Teachers Service Commission Chair Dr Jamleck Muturi said 100,000 teachers have been recruited during the past four years.
He said the pace of recruitment represents a major shift compared with the previous approach, under which only about 5,000 teachers were employed annually.
Muturi said that if the current pace continues, the government could have recruited about 200,000 teachers by the end of an eight-year period.
He also noted that approximately 160,000 teachers have been promoted during the past four years, with the potential to reach 320,000 promotions over eight years.
KUPPET Raises Concerns Over ECD Teachers
While acknowledging progress in teacher recruitment, KUPPET Chairman Omboko Milemba called for greater attention to teachers who he said remain underserved.
He singled out Early Childhood Development teachers, arguing that many continue to receive low pay despite playing an important role in the education system.
Milemba called for government intervention to ensure ECD educators receive compensation that reflects official wage guidelines.
He also urged the government to consider unemployed P1 teachers aged above 45 who risk reaching retirement age without securing teaching positions.
JSS Teachers and CBA Cycles
KUPPET also raised concerns about job stability among Junior Secondary School teachers.
Milemba called for measures that would provide greater security for JSS educators while also urging the government to shorten the CBA negotiation cycle.
The union wants collective bargaining agreements reviewed every two years instead of the current longer cycle.
According to KUPPET, shorter negotiations would allow teachers’ welfare issues to be addressed more frequently as economic conditions and workplace needs change.
KNUT Praises Government’s Education Record
KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu praised the government for what he described as progress in the education sector and teacher welfare.
Oyuu pointed to the implementation of the second phase of the current CBA and said teachers had benefited from efforts to improve their working conditions.
He also highlighted collaboration between KNUT and higher learning institutions, which he said could create opportunities for primary school teachers to pursue degree qualifications.
The union leader further cited the Affordable Housing Programme, saying teachers have access to a dedicated allocation of housing units.
KUPPET Credits Public Engagement
KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori also commended the government’s engagement with members of the public.
He said town hall meetings, civic groups and other public forums had provided opportunities for citizens and stakeholders to participate in discussions about government policies and reforms.
Misori linked the approach to the constitutional principle of public participation established under Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.
What Teachers Want Next
Despite the progress highlighted by government officials and union leaders, teachers’ representatives say several challenges remain unresolved.
Better compensation for ECD teachers, opportunities for older unemployed P1 teachers, greater stability for JSS educators and shorter CBA cycles remain among the issues unions want addressed.
The government’s ability to sustain teacher recruitment and promotions will also be closely watched as schools continue adapting to changes under the Competency-Based Education system.
The wider education reforms also include changes to teacher training and the rollout of the Competency-Based Education system, with Grade 10 assessment registration already underway earlier this year.
The Road Ahead
The latest statements show a sector where recruitment and career progression have expanded, but where teachers’ representatives continue to push for improvements in pay, job security and collective bargaining.
For educators, the bigger question will be whether the commitments and reforms translate into lasting improvements in classrooms and in the everyday working lives of teachers.
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Kenya’s education reforms may be gathering pace, but for teachers, the real measure of progress will ultimately be whether increased investment translates into better careers, fairer compensation and stronger support in the classroom.
