The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) plans to employ a total of 37,000 teachers this year. A total of 25,000 teachers will be employed on a permanent and pensionable basis while another 12,000 teachers will be recruited on an internship basis.
The 37,000 teachers to be employed will cater for the double transition to secondary schools in July this year.
Teacher shortage
According to TSC Boss Dr. Nancy Macharia, teacher shortage in public schools stood at 103,931 as of January 2021. According to TSC's latest records, post-primary institutions have a shortfall of 57,822 teachers, while primary schools have a deficit of 46,109.
The commission plans to spend Sh10.75 billion to recruit the 25,000 permanent teachers and Sh2.4 billion to hire the 12,000 interns.
The commission planned to recruit 12,626 teachers per year to bridge the gap in its 2019-2023 strategic plan and the plan is still being executed. More than 10,000 teachers leave the serve via retirement and natural attrition every year.
TSC has only employed 23,700 teachers since 2017 against its target of 50,504 teachers.
Double intake
A large number of students is anticipated in secondary schools due to the implementation of the competency-based curriculum (CBC); where learners in Grade Six will join junior secondary in January 2023.
Standard Eight candidates will also be expected to join secondary schools, causing the double transition.
“The current Grade Four and Standard Six pupils will transit to junior secondary and Form One, respectively, in 2023. This will lead to higher enrollment which will call for additional teachers,” says Dr. Macharia.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE TSC ADVERTISED VACANCIES
Applications for the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) vacancies are done purely online. In filling the advertised teaching vacancies the Commission invites qualified teachers to submit their applications online at the TSC online recruitment portal; https://hrmis.tsc.go.ke/.
TSC does not accept hard copy applications and therefore you must carefully submit your application online. Some teachers have failed to make it to the TSC shortlisting of applicants because of their failure to submit their applications as required. But, this problem may not get you as we will take you through the correct step-by-step application procedure.
ONLINE APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR THE ADVERTISED TSC VACANCIES
It is important for you to note that the application procedures for primary and secondary school teachers are not the same. As thus, carefully go through the two procedures below to note the difference.
Primary Teachers Online Recruitment Application Process
In case you are submitting applications for the advertised vacancies in primary schools, then this is the correct procedure for you to follow;
1. First, visit the TSC online recruitment portal by using the link; https://hrmis.tsc.go.ke/app/login. Click Career then Teachers/Secretariat then CLICK apply for teachers Recruitment/Internship.
2. Type in the TSC No, ID number, and mobile and choose your selection either primary or secondary by clicking the drop-down and click ok
(i) This screen below shows the selection for primary
3. The SMS code from TSC Kenya will be sent to the applicant mobile phone.
4. Type in the SMS code and click ok
5. Click on Apply/view.
6. Fill in the details
7. Choose the Ref from the drop-down and fill in the other details not auto-filled and click ‘ok’.
8. Click yes.
9. A screen will be displayed showing the list of applications done by applicants.
NOTE: The teacher can make several application in different counties/sub-counties
(i) This is one application
(ii) List of several application for different counties
Secondary Teachers Online Recruitment Application Process
If you are applying for posts in secondary schools, then you will have to follow the procedure below;
1. Click Career then Teachers/Secretariat then CLICK apply for teachers Recruitment/Internship.
2. Type in the TSC No, ID number, and mobile and choose your selection i.e Secondary by clicking the drop-down menu and click ok
3. The SMS code from TSC Kenya will be sent to the applicant's mobile phone.
4. Type in the SMS code as shown below and click ok as shown
5.Click on Apply/view.
6. A screen will be displayed where the applicant will fill in the details
7. Choose the Ref from the dropdown and fill in the other details not auto-filled. Click the button +click here to apply.
8. On clicking +click here to apply for a school.
9. Choose the subjects, county, sub-county, and school.
10. A screen will be displayed showing the date, county, sub-county, school, and stage of the application;
11.The teacher can apply for several vacancies: CLICK OK.
12. CLICK yes and the application is completed
Check out this site under the TSC News category for all lists of shortlisted applicants; after they are released by TSC. You will also be able to get the interview dates and venues per county. All the best.
GUIDELINES FOR RECRUITMENT OF TEACHERS- 2021/2022
RECRUITMENT GUIDELINES FOR TEACHERS IN POST-PRIMARY INSTITUTIONS (SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES)
GENERAL INFORMATION ON RECRUITMENT GUIDELINES.
Following the advertisement for recruitment of teachers, Boards of Management are required to conduct the selection process for the advertised vacancy(ies) in their institutions
The selection panel will be expected to exercise the highest degree of transparency and accountability, as stipulated in the Public Officers Ethics Act, and TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics 2015.
The Head of Institution is required to induct the panel members on the relevant sections of the Act before the commencement of the selection exercise.
All applicants must be registered teachers as per section 231 of the Teachers Service Commission Act, 2012. Those without Registration Certificates must attach a printout of the application form/payment receipt as evidence of application for registration.
However, successful candidates who fail to meet registration requirements will not be recruited.
Applicants who apply for confirmation of results from KNEC should give the address of the County Director where they have submitted their application.
Applicants working in other Government departments and who meet the requirements are eligible to apply.
Applicants will be required to submit their applications to the Secretary, Board of Management of the respective institution with a copy to the office of the respective TSC Sub-county director
Heads of Institutions MUST acknowledge all applications upon receipt and, on completion of the selection process, promptly advise those who do not meet the criteria (specifying the reasons).
The TSC Sub-County Director shall compile a list of a applicants in every institution for ease of reference and present it during the interview.
The date, venue, and time of the interview should be displayed on notice boards at the County, Sub-Counties, Zonal and Institutional offices.
Heads of institutions should communicate to all applicants through SMS (short message service) 7 days before the actual date of the interview. This provision MUST be strictly observed to ensure that all applicants are notified of the interview date, venue, and time.
All applicants, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, or home county should be given equal opportunity.
However, in case of a tie: consideration will be given to:
- Applicant (s) with disability(ies)
- Quality of certificates presented, KCSE, KCE; Higher aggregate KCSE/KCE grade should first be considered. If the candidates tie at the aggregate grade the Score in teaching practice will be considered.
- Preference will be given to the applicants who have NOT been previously employed by the commission
- The names of interviewed candidates ranked in order of performance during the selection process for each vacancy (appendix i w then be submitted to the Commission.
AUTHENTICITY OF ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL DOCUMENTS
Applicants must present original and legible photocopies of the following documents:
- National Identification Card
- CPE/KCPE certificates
- KCE/KCSE certificates (include first attempt certificate if repeated exams)
- Diploma/Degree Certificates and official transcripts
- Primary and Secondary Schools leaving certificates
NB:
Provisional transcripts shall not be accepted Where names on the submitted documents differ, the applicant will be required to submit a sworn affidavit.
The selection panel shall vet each applicant to verify that:
- He/she meets the requirements of the TSC advertisement.
- All the submitted original academic and professional certificates, as well as official transcripts are authentic. The Secretary, Board of Management should certify photocopies of the certificates and authenticate the information provided to the TSC County Director.
- A proof of application for confirmation of results from KNEC has been availed where the certificates are missing
NB: The onus is on the concerned teacher to follow up with KNEC for the confirmation of results within 14 days after the interview date.
Where results have been confirmed, the original statement of confirmation of results MUST be submitted together with the Application for Employment form
Once the interview process is completed, the results must be communicated to the applicants the same day and the successful candidate(s), from the merit list, issued with the TSC Application for Employment Form.
It is the responsibility of the TSC County Director/Representative to ensure that the:
- Exercise is fair and transparent.
- Successful applicant (s) on the merit list fill the Application for Employment form.
The Secretary of BOM should ensure the Application for Employment form is correctly filled by the successful applicant without any erasure or defacing
The completed form(s) together with the other relevant documents should be submitted to the TSC County Director’s office. The TSC County Director, upon verification and ensuring that a the requirements are fulfilled, will submit the recruitment documents to the TSC Headquarters within the stipulated timeline.
SELECTION PANEL
The selection panel shall consist of the following seven (7) members:
- Chairman, Board of Management- Chairman
- Two (2) members of the Board- Members
- Head of Institution- Secretary
- Deputy Head of Institution- Member
- Subject Specialist- Member
- The TSC County Director/representative- Member
TOTAL: 7
SELECTION PANEL FOR SCHOOLS WITHOUT BOMs
Schools without BOMs will have a selection panel composed of:
- TSC County Director- Chairman
- Head of Institution- Secretary
- Deputy Head of Institution- Member
- Subject Specialist- Member
- TSC Sub County Director- Member
- TSC Human Resource Officer- Member
- PA Chairman- Member
TOTAL: 7
SELECTION CRITERIA
The Secretary Board of Management shall present a compiled list of all applicants to the selection panel.
The selection panel shall harmonize the list of applicants with that of the TSC Sub- County Director and conduct interviews for those who meet the criteria. The County Director should note any inconsistency[ies), make decision(s) based on the guidelines and advise the Candidates/panel and the Commission accordingly.
Applicants shall present themselves in person to the selection panel. The panel shall score each candidate based on the selection score guide (appendix I (a) or l (b).
QUALIFICATIONS
Qualifications for Graduate Teachers
Applicants must have a minimum mean grade of C+ (plus) at KCSE and C+ (plus) in each of the two teaching subjects or two (2) principles and one () subsidiary pass at ‘A’ Level. In addition, they must have:
- A Bachelor of Education Degree with two (2) teaching subjects.
- A Bachelor of Science or Arts Degree plus a Post Graduate Diploma in Education(PGDE) with two teaching subjects.
- Bachelor of Science with two teaching subjects.
NB:
- Bachelor of Education holders with a mean grade of C Plain and C Plain in the two teaching subjects at KCSE and have undertaken a Diploma i Education or gone through the A level system in the relevant area(s) are eligible.
- Bridging /Pre-university certificates for those who completed the bridging course before December 31St 2015 can be considered.
Qualifications for Diploma Teachers
Applicants must have a minimum mean grade of C+ (plus) at KCSE or its equivalent with at least C+(plus) (or credit pass) in the two teaching subjects or one (I) principle and two (2) subsidiaries at ‘A’ level. In addition, they must have a Diploma in Education from a recognized teacher training Institution.
NB: Diploma Teachers who graduated on or before 2008 with a mean grade of C (plain) and C (plain) in the two teaching subjects are eligible.
Qualifications for Technical Teachers.
Applicants must have a minimum mean grade of C+ (plus) at KCSE or its equivalent with at least C+(plus) (or credit pass) in the two teaching subjects or one () principle and two (2) subsidiaries at ‘A’ level In addition, they must have:
- Bachelor of Education Technology (Bed TECH). OR
- Bachelor of Science (Bsc) in any relevant technical Subject[s)/ Course.
- Higher Diploma in a Technical course or
- A Diploma in a Technical Course.
- Further, they should have a Diploma in Technical Teacher Education from Kenya Technical Teachers College (KTTC) or a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) from a recognized University.
Persons With Disability (PWD) Hearing impaired and Blind, are admitted for training with mean grade of C and C in the two teaching subjects thus are eligible
For applicants trained in Special Needs Education, KSL and Braille are considered as teaching subjects e.g. Biology/KSL, Geography/Braille.
NB: Candidates whose training is in subjects that are currently not in the curriculum do not qualify, irrespective of their having undertaken a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) and enhancement. e.g. Bachelor of Science /Bachelor of Arts in:
- Natural Resources
- Meteorology
- Forestry
- Animal Husbandry
- Horticulture
- Farm Machinery
- Fisheries
- Anthropology
- sociology
- Theology/Divinity
- Journalism etc.
Applicants with Economics/Commerce/Accounting, Social Education and Ethics (SEE) can apply for Business Studies and CRE/IRE vacancies respectively.
Diploma Teachers with English/other subject qualify for employment as English/Literature teachers.
All applicants must have studied the two teaching subjects at KCSE except for Agriculture, Business Studies, Home Science, and Computer. Where an applicant did not study business Studies and Computer, he/she should have attained a minimum of C+ (Plus) in Mathematics in KCSE.
Where an applicant did not study Agriculture and Home science, he/she should have attained a minimum of C+ in Biology at KCSE
Graduate Teachers should have studied a minimum of eight (8) course units in each teaching subject.
Candidates presenting enhancement certificate(s)/official transcripts in a teaching subject(s) from a recognized institution (s) qualify for employment.
Applicants previously employed under contract and whose services were terminated due to inadequate units in teaching subjects and have since obtained enhancement certificates with adequate units are eligible to apply.
Applicants applying for computer studies MUST have taken a course on teaching methods.
VALIDATION OF DOCUMENTS BY TSC COUNTY DIRECTOR
The County Directors should:
- Ensure that the employment forms have all the attachments required.
- Vet the recruitment documents to verify that the applicant(s) recruited qualify for employment as per the provisions of the recruitment guidelines
- Ensure the Principal has signed section C of the employment form confirming the candidate qualifies/merits to be employed.
- Compile any complaints received and submit report on appropriate action taken or recommendations to the Commission.
DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE TSC HEADQUARTERS
The TSC County Director is required to hand over the following documents to the TSC Headquarters:
- Duly filled application form(s) for employment together with a copy of the acknowledgement of receipt of application for employment, certified copies of academic certificates, professional certificates and all official transcripts, identity card and two passport size photographs in respect of successful candidate(s).
- A list of all applicants in order of merit for the advertised vacancies in Appendix (II (clearly mark the candidates who failed to attend the interview).
- Duly signed minutes of the Board of Management.
- A commitment letter duly signed by the candidate binding him/her to teach in the station for a minimum period of five (5) years, and 3 years in the case of North Eastern region
- Completed selection score guide duly signed
- Copy of teacher registration certificate/evidence of application for registration.
- Certified copy of the bank plate
- Duly completed pay point particulars form
- Copy of KRA PIN certificate
- Copy of NHIF certificate
- List of applicants who are Persons with Disabilities (PWD).
COMPLAINTS
Any candidate who is dissatisfied with the process can make a complaint in writing to the TSC County Director not later than seven (7) days after the selection process and send a copy to the TSC Headquarters.
The TSC County Director should within 7 days address all complaints raised after the selection process has been completed and thereafter inform the headquarters on the action taken.
IMPORTANT NOTES FOR APPLICANTS
- Under no circumstances shall the Application for Employment form be defaced or photocopied for use.
- Clarification and advice on issues of qualifications arising from these guidelines should be sought from the TSC County Directors or the TSC Headquarters if need be using the following numbers 0202892193, 0202892135 or 0202892133, 0202892171
- Whereas the Commission has delegated its teacher recruitment function, pursuant to Section 20 of the TSC Act, t shall continue exercising this mandate directly as stipulated under Article 237 of the Constitution.
- Attached find the following Appendices for use during the selection exercise:
Appendix i: a). Selection Score Guide for Secondary Schools and b). Grading System
Appendix ii: Checklist (TSC and BOM)
Appendix III: List of interviewed candidates.
Appendix IV: Declaration form I
Appendix V: Declaration form II
Appendix VI: List of applicants with special needs
APPENDIX III: CHECK LIST
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST
The successful applicants will be required to submit the following to the Secretary, Board of
Management:
- Duly signed application for employment letter
- Duly signed commitment letter to serve in the school for a minimum period of five (5) years and three (3) years in the case of North-Eastern region
- Original and certified copies of the following
- National Identity card (both sides)
- 2 passport size photographs
- Certificates and testimonials KCPE/CPE, ‘O’ Level (KCSE), ‘A’ LEVEL, Degree, Diploma/SI.
- Official Academic transcripts
- Teacher Registration certificate/evidence of application for registration.
- KRA PIN certificate
- Bank Plate
- Duly filled pay point particulars form
- NHIF card
- Primary and secondary school leaving certificates
- Acknowledgment of receipt of the application for employment
NB: The Principal/Secretary Board of Management is expected to verify and certify all the above documents.
TSC CHECKLIST
The Secretary, Board of Management is required to submit the following to the TSC Sub –County Director
- Minutes of the selection panel duly signed
- Completed selection score guide duly signed
- Duly signed commitment letter to serve in the school for a minimum period of five (5) years and three (3) years in the case of North-Eastern region
- Certified copies of the following:
- National ldentity card (both sides)
- 2 passport size photographs
- Certificates and testimonials – KCPE/CPE, ‘O Level (KCSE), ‘A’ LEVEL, Degree, Diploma/SI
- Official Academic transcripts
- Teacher Registration certificate/evidence of application for registration.
- KRA PIN certificate
- Bank Plate
- Duly filled pay point particulars form