We don’t have money to hire more teachers - TSC

Teachers Service Commission chairman Lydia Nzomo addresses reporters at a past function. PHOTO | ROBERT NGUGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has said the amount allocated for employment of more teachers is insufficient.

TSC chairperson Lydia Nzomo on Friday said the shortage of funds is was the main reason for understaffing and is hampering efforts to employ more teachers.

“What is always allocated to us from the Treasury is not enough because the major problem in the country are the many competing needs.

However, we are asking for more funds to cater for this and in the meantime, we are asking for patience,” Dr Nzomo said.

She spoke at Ntunene Girls Secondary School where she met principals from Igembe North and Central sub-counties.

Dr Nzomo asked principals to make use of the available teachers as the commission waits for more allocations to meet the huge demand for additional tutors.

“It is usually a big loss to the taxpayers when we keep excess teachers in a school whereas there are others without. We want to ensure children get proper and quality education,” she said.

The official asked head teachers to embrace Information Communication Technology to help access more information in institutions where there are less teachers.

This way, she added, will also help in dealing with larger groups of pupils and students in schools in the country.

On the issue of promotion of teachers, Dr Nzomo said the commission at the moment cannot afford to promote teachers every three years due to underfunding.

On hardship allowances, she said schools in Tigania and Igembe regions are considered being in hardship areas.

The TSC chairperson was invited to the school by Igembe North MP Joseph M'Eruaki to discuss issues affecting teachers in the region with a view of improving education.