The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has identified aviation, construction, media technology, and several other specialised fields as priority teaching areas under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum.
The commission is now urging universities to redesign teacher training programmes to address looming shortages ahead of the full rollout of senior school pathways.
TSC Lists Aviation, Construction, and Media Among High-Demand CBE Teaching Specialisations
TSC has raised concerns over the shortage of teachers qualified to handle new subjects introduced under the Competency-Based Education curriculum.
The commission says universities must urgently revise their teacher-training programmes to produce the specialists needed for senior schools.
Speaking during the KUCCPS stakeholder meeting, TSC Director of Teacher Education and Capacity Development Reuben Namburi said higher learning institutions should align their courses with the changing demands of the education sector.
He noted that several learning areas introduced under CBE currently lack enough trained teachers.
TSC Identifies Critical Teacher Shortages
According to the commission, universities should begin offering or expanding programmes in several specialised teaching fields.
The identified areas include:
- Building and Construction
- Aviation
- Woodwork
- Creative Arts
- Media Technology
- Marine and Fisheries
- Pre-Technical Studies
- Integrated Science
- Home Science
- Music and Dance
- Theatre and Film
- Sports and Recreation
TSC says these subjects are essential to the successful implementation of senior school pathways under CBE.
High-Demand CBE Teaching Areas
| Teaching Area | Status |
|---|---|
| Aviation | High demand |
| Building and Construction | High demand |
| Media Technology | High demand |
| Woodwork | High demand |
| Creative Arts | High demand |
| Marine and Fisheries | High demand |
| Integrated Science | High demand |
| Home Science | High demand |
Universities Asked to Revamp Curricula
Namburi said most of the identified subjects are new under the CBE framework, making it necessary for universities to redesign existing teacher education programmes.
He revealed that TSC has already issued an advisory urging universities to revise their curricula and introduce programmes capable of producing specialists in the affected fields.
The commission believes expanding training opportunities will help address future teacher shortages before the senior school rollout gathers pace.
Why the Changes Are Necessary
The Competency-Based Education curriculum introduces broader learning pathways that require practical and industry-oriented subjects.
Unlike the previous system, CBE emphasizes technical, creative, and vocational skills alongside traditional academic disciplines.
Without enough qualified teachers, implementation of the new curriculum could face significant challenges.
TSC's Plan
| Action | Objective |
|---|---|
| Universities revise curricula | Train specialised teachers |
| Introduce new education programmes | Address teacher shortages |
| Expand enrolment in specialised fields | Support CBE rollout |
| Produce industry-focused educators | Improve senior school implementation |
Teacher Training Roadmap
CBE Curriculum │ ▼ New Learning Areas │ ▼ Teacher Shortages Identified │ ▼ Universities Revise Programmes │ ▼ More Specialised Teachers
As Kenya prepares for the full implementation of senior school under CBE, the success of the curriculum will largely depend on how quickly universities produce teachers with specialized skills.
Without rapid investment in teacher training, shortages in critical learning areas could slow the transition to the country's new education system.
