Local teachers to get priority in the recruitment of 2,014 TSC positions

Local teachers will be given priority in the recruitment of 2,014 positions to replace teachers who have left the service due to natural attrition. This decision comes despite efforts by Members of Parliament (MPs) to ensure that teachers aged 40 and above are also considered.

According to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) scoring criteria, local teachers will be prioritized regardless of their qualifications. The TSC has instructed the vetting panels, led by Sub County Directors, to focus on local applicants first.

“Local applicants should be prioritized. Non-local applicants can only be considered after all local candidates have been accounted for,” stated TSC CEO Nancy Macharia in the guidelines.

This policy effectively excludes non-local teachers, even if they have high scores on the evaluation sheet. Some teachers have protested, claiming that this approach is discriminatory and could exacerbate tribalism and unfairness.

The TSC’s priority will follow a specific order: teachers from the local sub-county will be considered first, followed by those from the local county, then the local region, and only after that will applicants from other counties be taken into account.

The TSC has directed the Sub County selection panel to create a merit list divided into two categories: one for local applicants and another for non-local applicants.

The TSC has faced criticism for not publishing merit lists on its website for easy access by teachers. However, the Commission has stated that these lists will be available to the public upon request, ensuring that the recruitment process is not compromised and complies with the Data Protection Act of 2019.

In the announcement, the TSC outlined 2,014 teaching positions available, including 1,309 for primary schools, 32 for junior schools, and 673 for secondary schools. These positions are permanent and pensionable. A P1 certificate is the minimum requirement for primary school applicants, while a diploma in education is necessary for junior and secondary school positions.

The Commission has specified the academic and professional documents that candidates must present for verification. Applicants must provide original and clear photocopies of various documents, including:

For primary school teachers:
1. National identification card
2. Teacher registration certificate
3. Upgrade Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (if applicable)
4. PTE Certificate
5. KCSE certificates (including any re-sit attempts)
6. KCPE certificate (including any re-sit attempts)
7. KNEC certification letter (if applicable)
8. Primary and Secondary school leaving certificates and relevant testimonials
9. NCPWD Card (if applicable)
10. An affidavit explaining any name discrepancies

For post-primary school teachers (JSS and Secondary):
a. National identification card
b. Teacher registration certificate
c. Diploma/Degree certificate and official transcripts
d. KCSE certificates (including any re-sit attempts)
e. KCPE certificate (including any re-sit attempts)
f. Primary and Secondary school leaving certificates and relevant testimonials
g. NCPWD Card (if applicable)
h. An affidavit explaining any name discrepancies
i. KNEC certification letter (if applicable)

Intern teachers who have received 50 marks on the scoring sheet will only need to present their identity cards during verification. Individuals with disabilities must indicate their disability status and type to assist in their placement.

After the verification process, the TSC Sub-County Director will compile a merit list of all applicants whose documents have been verified.