Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Prepares for Major Teacher Replacements.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is gearing up to replace over 10,000 teachers set to retire by December after reaching the mandatory retirement age. While some of these retirees are school administrators, the majority are classroom teachers.
The Commission faces scrutiny over how it plans to manage replacements, following complaints about last year’s flawed exercise.
Despite receiving a Ksh 2.5 billion allocation from the Treasury in September 2023 to replace 6,000 teachers, TSC bypassed public advertisements for vacancies. Instead, these positions were reportedly distributed to politicians and Members of Parliament (MPs) for allocation in their constituencies.
This non-transparent approach led to allegations of corruption, with some individuals allegedly paying up to Ksh 400,000 to secure employment.
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Merit took a backseat as favoritism and cronyism dominated the recruitment process. Observers linked the exercise to Kenya Kwanza’s strategy of rewarding political allies advancing its agenda.
Politicization of Recruitment
TSC’s actions drew comparisons to past eras when political interference in teacher recruitment fostered widespread corruption and discrimination.
Reports indicated that some teachers secured permanent and pensionable (PnP) terms without undergoing the standard internship process.
The alleged involvement of Ezekiel Machogu, then Cabinet Secretary for Education, further fueled the controversy. Machogu was seen issuing employment letters during an event in Kisii County, sparking public outrage.
Dissatisfaction with governance practices, especially among Kenyan youth (commonly referred to as Gen Z), culminated in widespread protests. In response, the president dismissed his Cabinet, including Ezekiel Machogu.
This move was seen as an effort to address public discontent and restore accountability in government operations.
The Role of the Teacher Internship Programme
TSC emphasized the importance of the Teacher Internship Programme in streamlining recruitment processes.
The program, lasting 12 months, is designed to develop teaching competencies among registered but unemployed educators. Participants are assigned to schools for mentorship, coaching, and hands-on teaching experience.
Although the program is unpaid, interns in Junior Secondary Schools receive a monthly stipend of Ksh 20,000, subject to statutory deductions such as NHIF, Housing Levy, and NSSF.
Upon successful completion, participants receive a certificate, making them eligible for permanent and pensionable employment.
Current and Future Internship Recruitment
TSC is currently recruiting 20,000 teachers on internship terms to be deployed in January 2024.
Additionally, 46,000 teachers presently serving under internship terms are expected to transition to permanent and pensionable positions by January 2025.
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This structured approach to teacher recruitment aims to ensure merit-based employment while addressing the teaching workforce’s immediate and long-term needs.
However, past missteps underscore the need for transparency and fairness in the process to rebuild public trust.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Prepares for Major Teacher Replacements.
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