TSC Recruitment: Local Teachers Prioritized, Interns Favored, Non-Locals Cry Foul as Verification Exercise Begins.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has kicked off a nationwide recruitment drive to fill 2,014 teaching vacancies left by educators who exited the service due to natural attrition. Flashnews.co.ke has established that local teachers from within the sub-county are being prioritized over non-locals, regardless of academic qualifications.
This recruitment exercise includes 1,309 openings in primary schools, 32 in junior secondary, and 673 positions in secondary schools. All the positions are permanent and pensionable. The Commission has reiterated that a P1 certificate is the minimum requirement for primary school posts, while those seeking junior or secondary roles must hold at least a diploma in education.
TSC has issued clear instructions to Sub-County Directors leading the vetting panels to focus first on local candidates. This hierarchy favors applicants from the immediate sub-county, followed by candidates from the county and region, before considering those from outside areas.
TSC CEO Nancy Macharia emphasized that local applicants should be assessed and placed first. Only if no qualified locals are available, non-local applicants should be considered. TSC boss Nancy Macharia further directed vetting panels to compile merit lists in two distinct categories: one for locals and one for non-locals.
One teacher who spoke to Flashnews.co.ke expressed frustration, stating that it was unfair for a qualified candidate to be edged out simply because of their place of origin. He said many had worked hard to build strong credentials, only to be overlooked for being from the wrong county.
Despite achieving high scores in the evaluation process, non-local candidates find themselves at a disadvantage due to the new prioritization policy. Some educators and stakeholders have raised concerns, arguing that this directive could foster tribalism and compromise fairness in recruitment. Critics noted that the approach may risk sidelining deserving candidates based solely on geographical background.
In Parliament, several MPs had earlier proposed that individuals aged forty and above be considered for the openings, but this suggestion did not alter the TSC’s prioritization policy.
Verification Exercise and Required Documents
The Commission has outlined the list of academic and professional documents that must be presented during the verification phase. These include original and photocopies of national ID, teacher registration certificate, KCPE and KCSE certificates (with any resit documents), school leaving certificates, relevant testimonials, and where applicable, affidavits for name discrepancies and KNEC certification letters.
For Primary School Teachers:
- National ID
- Teacher registration certificate
- P1 or upgraded diploma certificate
- KCSE and KCPE certificates (and resits if applicable)
- School leaving certificates and testimonials
- NCPWD Card (if applicable)
- KNEC certification letter (if needed)
- Affidavit for name discrepancies
For Junior and Secondary Teachers:
- National ID
- TSC registration certificate
- Diploma or degree certificate with transcripts
- KCPE and KCSE certificates (including resits)
- Relevant testimonials and school leaving documents
- NCPWD Card (if applicable)
- KNEC certification (if applicable)
- Affidavit for inconsistencies in names
For intern teachers they automatically score 50 marks on the TSC scale, and are only required to present their national ID during verification.
The Commission also requires individuals with disabilities to disclose both the status and nature of their conditions to help with appropriate deployment. A TSC officer clarified that this ensures that “placements are sensitive and suitable to their needs.”
Merit List Formation and Transparency Issues
After the verification exercise, Sub-County Directors will compile a final merit list comprising only those applicants whose documents meet all verification standards. However, access to these lists has raised transparency concerns. Teachers have claimed that the merit lists are not visible on the Commission’s website, making it difficult to verify recruitment fairness.
Read Also: New TSC Promotion Policy to Be Drafted with Teacher and Union Input
In response, the TSC has clarified that the lists will be available upon request and in accordance with the Data Protection Act of 2019. One official explained that “we are obligated to protect personal data, but the lists are not secret and can be provided through the right channels.”
Despite the mixed reactions, the TSC maintains that the prioritization of local teachers is a strategic decision meant to promote retention, foster community engagement, and address chronic staffing gaps at the local level. The verification and recruitment exercise is currently ongoing in all sub-counties.
TSC Recruitment: Local Teachers Prioritized, Interns Favored, Non-Locals Cry Foul as Verification Exercise Begins.