TSC Hiring Policy Worsens Teacher Shortage in Hardship Areas

TSC Recruitment Policy Favor Local Teachers, Lock Out Others in Replacement Exercise

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has commenced the verification process for recruiting 8,707 teachers following natural attrition.

The exercise, which started yesterday, is taking place across at least thirty sub-counties, with more scheduled to begin today and tomorrow.

However, non-local teachers attending the vetting process are facing significant challenges due to a Commission directive prioritizing local applicants.

In its recruitment guidelines, TSC has instructed vetting panels, led by TSC Sub-County Directors, to give preference to local applicants.

The directive stipulates that non-local candidates can only be considered if all local applicants have been exhausted.

TSC CEO Nancy Macharia emphasized this policy in the issued guidelines. As a result, non-local teachers, despite their qualifications, are being sidelined from the selection process.

To facilitate this approach, TSC has directed the Sub-County selection panels to compile two separate merit lists: one for local applicants within the sub-county and another for non-local candidates.

The Commission has defended this strategy, arguing that it aims to protect unemployed native teachers and minimize the rate of transfers.

Concerns Over Teacher Transfers

Non-local teachers have been criticized for frequently seeking transfers out of the counties where they are posted, disrupting education in the affected regions.

Recently, teacher officials in Turkana County raised concerns after over 40 non-local teachers were transferred without replacements, exacerbating an already dire teacher shortage in the area.

Schools in Turkana, a hardship region in northern Kenya, have been particularly affected. Institutions such as Lodwar Boys, a national school, have suffered academically, with no student attaining a straight Grade A since 2015.

The sudden exodus of teachers has severely impacted learning in various schools.

Nicodemus Ingolan, Secretary of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) Turkana Chapter, criticized the abrupt transfers, stating that they were conducted without a proper replacement plan.

He described the move as an unjust removal of teachers from Turkana, in violation of the TSC Act of 2012, which governs the transfer of post-primary school teachers.

Michael Ekitela, Secretary-General of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Turkana Branch, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to TSC to rectify the irregularities in the transfer and replacement process.

He warned of large-scale protests in Lodwar town if the issue was not resolved, stressing that Turkana had faced long-term marginalization, and certain officials at the Rift Valley regional office appeared determined to continue this trend by forcefully transferring teachers.

TSC has announced the recruitment of teachers on permanent and pensionable terms, with 5,862 positions available in primary schools, 21 for junior schools, and 2,824 in secondary schools. The deployment of successful candidates is expected to take place between March and May 2025.

During the verification process, applicants are required to present both original and legible photocopies of their academic and professional documents.

Documents Required for Primary School Teachers:

1. National Identification Card
2. Certificate of Registration as a Teacher
3. Evidence of Completion of Upgrade Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (UDPTE) Certificate (where applicable)
4. PTE Certificate
5. KCSE Certificate or Equivalent (including resit certificates if applicable)
6. KCPE Certificate or Equivalent (including resit certificates if applicable)
7. Letter of Certification of Results from KNEC (if applicable)
8. Primary and Secondary School Leaving Certificates and Other Relevant Testimonials
9. National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) Card (if applicable)
10. Sworn Affidavit under the Oaths and Statutory Declarations Act, Cap 15 of the Laws of Kenya, to explain any name discrepancies

Documents Required for Post-Primary School Teachers (JSS and Secondary):

1. National Identification Card
2. Certificate of Registration as a Teacher
3. Diploma/Degree Certificate and Official Transcripts
4. KCSE Certificate or Equivalent (including resit certificates if applicable)
5. KCPE Certificate or Equivalent (including resit certificates if applicable)
6. Primary and Secondary School Leaving Certificates and Other Relevant Testimonials
7. National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) Card (if applicable)
8. Sworn Affidavit under the Oaths and Statutory Declarations Act, Cap 15 of the Laws of Kenya, to explain any name discrepancies
9. Letter of Certification of Results from KNEC (if applicable)

For intern teachers currently serving, only their national identification cards are required during the verification process. Additionally, persons with disabilities must indicate their disability status and nature to ensure appropriate placement.

Read Also: Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Deregisters 33 Teachers

Publication of Merit Lists

Upon completion of the verification process, the TSC Sub-County Director will compile a Merit List of all verified applicants.

The lists will be accessible to the public upon request while ensuring adherence to the Data Protection Act, 2019, to safeguard the integrity of the recruitment process.

TSC Recruitment Policy Favor Local Teachers, Lock Out Others in Replacement Exercise

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