If you’re a teacher in Kenya, you’re probably looking for ways to supplement your income.
With the cost of living on the rise, it can be challenging to make ends meet on a teacher’s salary alone.
Luckily, there are plenty of side hustles you can do to earn extra cash. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best side hustles for teachers in Kenya.
- Online tutoring and freelancing are two great side hustles for teachers in Kenya.
- Selling educational materials and agricultural ventures are other options to consider.
- Local tutoring and coaching, digital content creation, property management, and ridesharing and delivery services are other potential side business ideas for teachers to explore.
What is The Best Side Hustle For Teachers?
Some of the best side hustles for teachers in Kenya include:
- Conducting online tutoring sessions.
- Creating and selling online courses.
- Freelance Academic writing.
- Curriculum development for schools.
- Creating and selling worksheets and lesson plans.
- Writing and selling e-books and guides.
- Poultry farming.
- Urban gardening.
- Jewelry making.
- Tailoring and dressmaking.
- Offering evening and weekend classes.
- Providing sports and fitness coaching.
- Educational blogging.
- Creating a YouTube channel for teaching-related content.
- Overseeing rental properties.
- Managing properties for other owners or investing in your own.
- Driving for ridesharing services.
- Delivering food or packages.
These side hustles offer teachers diverse opportunities to supplement their income, leveraging their skills and expertise.
Online Tutoring
One of the most popular side hustles for teachers in Kenya is online tutoring. It provides a flexible and rewarding opportunity to supplement income while sharing valuable expertise.
The increasing prevalence of e-learning has led to a rising demand for online tutors, offering the chance to connect with students globally—all from the comfort of your home.
Here are some options to explore:
Creating Online Courses
Creating online courses is a great way to share knowledge with others. You can create courses on a variety of topics, from academic subjects to hobbies and interests.
Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, and Skillshare allow you to create and sell your courses online. You can set your own prices and earn a percentage of each sale.
When creating your course:
- Choose a topic you are passionate about and well-versed in.
- Develop engaging content, utilizing videos, quizzes, and interactive elements.
- Ensure the material is presented in a clear and understandable manner.
Private Virtual Lessons
Another viable option within online tutoring is offering private virtual lessons. You can offer one-on-one lessons to students around the world.
Platforms like Zoom, Skype, and Google Meet make it easy to connect with students and teach them virtually.
When offering private virtual lessons, make sure to set clear expectations with your students. Determine the schedule and frequency of lessons, as well as the price. Make sure to communicate any materials or resources needed for the lessons.
Freelancing Opportunities
Another lucrative side hustle for teachers in Kenya is freelancing, providing the flexibility to work on your own terms and schedule. This makes it an ideal choice for busy educators seeking extra income. Here are some freelancing opportunities worth exploring:
Academic Writing
If you have a passion for writing and research, academic writing might be a great fit for you. Academic writing involves writing research papers, essays, and other academic content for students and researchers.
You can find academic writing jobs on various freelancing platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.
To be successful in academic writing, you need to have excellent research and writing skills. You should also be familiar with different citation styles such as APA, MLA, and Harvard. In addition, you should be able to meet tight deadlines and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
Curriculum Development
Another promising freelancing avenue for Kenyan teachers lies in curriculum development. Curriculum developers work with schools and educational institutions to design and develop curricula that meet the needs of students and teachers.
As a teacher, you have the experience and knowledge to create engaging and effective curricula.
To succeed in curriculum development, you should have a deep understanding of the Kenyan education system and the needs of students and teachers.
You should also have excellent communication and collaboration skills, as you will be working with various stakeholders such as school administrators, teachers, and students.
Becoming a curriculum developer stands out as one of the most rewarding side hustles for teachers, with the added potential to evolve into a flexible full-time career option.
Selling Educational Materials
As a teacher, you have a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be valuable to other educators. One way to turn this knowledge into a profitable side business idea is by selling educational materials.
Here are two types of educational materials you can create and sell:
Worksheets and Lesson Plans
Creating and selling worksheets and lesson plans can be a great way to earn extra income.
You can sell your materials on online marketplaces such as Teachers Pay Teachers or on your own website.
When creating your materials, make sure they are aligned with the Kenyan curriculum and are easy to use and understand.
You can also offer customization services to your clients to make your products more appealing.
E-books and Guides
Another option for selling educational materials is to create e-books and guides. You can write about topics such as classroom management, lesson planning, or subject-specific teaching strategies.
Make sure your e-books and guides are well-researched, easy to read, and provide value to your readers.
You can sell your e-books and guides on your own website or on online marketplaces such as Amazon.
Agricultural Ventures
If you have a green thumb and enjoy working outdoors, then agricultural ventures might be the perfect side hustle for you. Here are two agricultural side hustles that you can start in Kenya:
Poultry Farming
Poultry farming is a popular side hustle in Kenya, and for good reason. It is a low-cost venture that can yield high returns. With as little as Ksh 10,000, you can start a small-scale poultry farm and grow it over time. You can sell the eggs, meat, and feathers for a profit.
To get started, you will need to buy a few chicks and provide them with a clean and safe environment. You can build a simple chicken coop using locally available materials or buy a ready-made one.
Once the chicks have grown, you can start selling the eggs or meat. You can also breed the chickens and sell the chicks.
Urban Gardening
Urban gardening is another agricultural side hustle that you can start in Kenya. With the increasing demand for organic produce, you can grow your own vegetables and sell them to your local community. You can also sell your produce to restaurants and supermarkets.
To get started, you will need to identify a suitable location for your garden. You can use your backyard, balcony, or even a small plot of land. You will also need to choose the right crops to grow based on the available space and climate. You can grow vegetables such as kale, spinach, tomatoes, and onions.
To maximize your profits, you can sell your produce directly to your customers or through online platforms such as Jumia and Kilimall. You can also set up a small stall in your local market or partner with a local restaurant or supermarket.
Crafting and Handmade Products
If you have a creative side and enjoy making things with your hands, crafting and handmade products can be a great side hustle for you.
There are many different types of crafting and handmade products that you can make and sell, but two of the most popular are jewellery making and tailoring/dressmaking.
Jewellery Making
Jewellery making is a great side hustle for teachers in Kenya because it doesn’t require a lot of space or equipment.
You can start by making simple pieces like earrings, necklaces, and bracelets using beads, wire, and other materials that are easy to find at craft stores or online.
As you become more skilled, you can start making more complex pieces and even custom designs for your customers.
To get started with jewellery making, you will need some basic tools like pliers, wire cutters, and crimping tools. You will also need supplies like beads, wire, clasps, and findings. Once you have your tools and supplies, you can start creating your own unique designs and selling them online or at local markets.
Tailoring and Dressmaking
Tailoring and dressmaking are also great side hustles for teachers in Kenya because there is always a demand for custom-made clothing. You can start by offering simple alterations like hemming pants or taking in shirts, and then move on to more complex projects like making dresses or suits from scratch.
To get started with tailoring and dressmaking, you will need a sewing machine, fabric, thread, and other basic supplies like scissors, pins, and measuring tape. You can start by offering your services to friends and family, and then expand to a wider customer base as you gain more experience.
Local Tutoring and Coaching
As a teacher, you already have the skills and knowledge to teach others. You can use this to your advantage by offering local tutoring and coaching services. This is a great way to earn extra money while helping others.
Evening and Weekend Classes
One option is to offer evening and weekend classes for students who need extra help with their studies. You can offer classes in subjects that you are comfortable teaching, such as maths, science, or languages. You can advertise your services through social media, word of mouth, or by putting up flyers in your local area.
Sports and Fitness Coaching
If you are passionate about sports and fitness, you can also offer coaching services in your local area. This can include coaching children’s sports teams, offering personal training sessions, or leading group fitness classes. You can advertise your services through social media, local sports clubs, or by putting up flyers in your local area.
Digital Content Creation
As a teacher, you have a wealth of knowledge and experience that others can benefit from. Digital content creation is an excellent side hustle that allows you to share your expertise with a wider audience. Here are two ways to monetize your knowledge through digital content creation.
Educational Blogging
Blogging is a great way to share your expertise and connect with like-minded individuals. You can create a blog around a specific topic, such as teaching strategies, classroom management, or subject-specific content.
By creating valuable content, you can attract a loyal following and monetize your blog through advertising, affiliate marketing, and sponsored content.
To get started, choose a niche that you are passionate about and create a blog using a platform like WordPress or Blogger. Make sure to create high-quality content that provides value to your readers. You can monetize your blog through various methods, including display advertising, affiliate marketing, and sponsored content.
YouTube Channel
YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world, making it an excellent platform for sharing your expertise. You can create a YouTube channel around a specific topic, such as teaching tips, lesson plans, or subject-specific content. By creating engaging videos, you can attract a loyal following and monetize your channel through advertising, sponsorships, and merchandise sales.
To get started, create a YouTube channel and start creating videos. Make sure to create high-quality content that provides value to your viewers. You can monetize your channel through various methods, including display advertising, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. With dedication and hard work, you can turn your YouTube channel into a profitable side hustle.
Property Management
If you own a rental property or have a knack for managing properties, then property management could be an excellent side hustle for you. As a teacher, you have a flexible schedule that allows you to handle property management tasks during your free time.
Property management involves overseeing rental properties, collecting rent, handling maintenance requests, and finding tenants. You can either manage properties for other property owners or invest in your own rental property.
Managing rental properties can be a lucrative side hustle in Kenya, with property managers charging an average of 5% to 10% of the monthly rental income paid by a tenant. However, property management can also be time-consuming and requires excellent communication and organizational skills.
If you’re interested in becoming a property manager, consider taking a course or certification program to learn the skills you need to succeed. You can also network with other property managers and real estate professionals to learn more about the industry and gain valuable insights into the local rental market.
Ridesharing and Delivery Services
If you have a car or a motorbike, you can use it to earn extra cash by joining a ridesharing or delivery service.
Some popular options in Kenya include Uber, Bolt, Little Cab, Glovo, and Jumia Food.
As a rideshare driver, you can choose your own hours and work as much or as little as you want. You can earn money by picking up passengers and taking them to their destination.
As a delivery driver, you can earn money by picking up food or packages and delivering them to customers.
To become a rideshare or delivery driver, you will need to meet certain requirements, such as having a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and a vehicle that meets the company’s standards. You will also need to pass a background check and provide proof of insurance.
Keep in mind that ridesharing and delivery services can be competitive, so you may need to work hard to build up your customer base and earn good ratings. However, if you are willing to put in the effort, you can earn a decent income on the side while still being able to focus on your teaching career.