The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education on Tuesday engaged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) over its 2026/2027 Budget Policy Statement, where Members of Parliament raised concerns on teachers’ access to health services and the equitable distribution of education projects across the country.
Appearing before the Committee, Acting TSC CEO Evelyn Mitei revealed that the Commission had been allocated KSh16.5 billion for the teachers’ medical cover under the Social Health Authority, against a projected requirement of KSh26.5 billion, leaving a funding gap of KSh10 billion.
“We have onboarded more than 400,000 teachers and one million dependants into the SHA scheme. However, the cost of providing adequate health services to all members continues to rise as we employ more teachers,” said Ms. Mitei.
“We are working closely with SHA to resolve onboarding challenges and to ensure teachers across the country can access quality medical services.”
Members of the Committee pressed the Commission on the delays in integrating teachers into the new health insurance framework.
Hon. Eve Obara questioned the operational rollout, noting that many teachers were “still stranded and uncertain about where to seek services.”
“How have teachers been integrated into the SHA? Teachers are struggling to access treatment. What services are they actually getting?” she asked.
Committee Chairperson Hon. Julius Melly demanded faster implementation.
“What are you doing to ensure teachers are fully incorporated? The rollout is too slow, We need to see teachers benefiting immediately.” Ms. Mitei acknowledged the teething problems, citing slow sensitization and onboarding processes, but assured the Committee that SHA had committed to streamline the system.
On staffing, Ms. Mitei said the Commission plans to recruit 16,000 additional teachers for Junior and Senior Schools in the coming financial year at a cost of KSh1.9 billion, as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the teacher shortage that currently stands at about 116,000 nationwide.
“In the past three years, we have recruited 100,000 teachers. The 2026/27 plan continues this trajectory as we address shortages created by the Competency-Based Curriculum,” she told the MPs.
However, Members questioned the absence of recruitment plans for primary school teachers.
Hon. Rebecca Tonkei sought clarification on why the Commission was not hiring for lower levels.
In response, TSC explained that the collapse of the 8-4-4 system had created a surplus of primary school teachers even as shortages persisted in Junior and Senior Schools.
“With the transition of learners to Junior Secondary, there is reduced demand at primary level, but new pathways in upper levels require additional teachers,” Ms. Mitei said.
MPs also faulted the TSC for inequitable distribution of education projects.
Hon. Dick Maungu asked why there were no new projects in Western, North Eastern, and Rift Valley regions.
The Commission clarified that no new capital projects were introduced in the 2026/27 ceilings, with only ongoing projects in Kwale, Kitui, and Murang’a counties allocated KSh 61 million.
On his part, Hon. Joseph Makilap raised concerns over delayed promotions for teachers with higher qualifications.
“Teachers who have attained Master’s and PhD degrees have not been upgraded,” he said.
Members also called for the regularization of long-serving officers in acting positions, with Hon. Jerusha Momanyi noting that prolonged acting appointments contravene labour laws.
The Commission, which presented a total budget proposal of KSh422.9 billion, also intends to spend KSh2 billion on teacher promotions, KSh1.5 billion on retooling educators for new learning areas, and KSh7.2 billion to convert 20,000 interns to permanent and pensionable terms.
The TSC CEO warned that the Commission faces budgetary constraints that may slow implementation of key reforms, including the rollout of a new administrative structure for Junior Schools and payment of acting allowances.
“We have no allocation for acting allowances, yet teachers continue to shoulder administrative responsibilities. We appeal for Parliament’s support to bridge these gaps,” she said.
The Education Committee is expected to table its report on the TSC’s budget proposals before the House in the coming weeks.