TSC Sub-County Directors to Oversee JSS Intern Teacher Replacements

TSC Sub-County Directors to Oversee JSS Intern Teacher Replacements.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is set to begin the process of replacing junior secondary school (JSS) intern teachers. This initiative will be carried out by TSC sub-county directors, utilizing the existing merit lists to facilitate a smooth transition.

A total of 1,645 JSS intern teachers successfully secured permanent and pensionable (PNP) positions in secondary schools after TSC announced replacement opportunities. These educators were among the 20,000 JSS interns recruited and posted to schools in January for a one-year internship term. Their new roles were made possible after TSC advertised 5,862 replacement slots to fill vacancies left by teachers who exited the service due to natural attrition.

Following a rigorous selection process, the Commission issued appointment letters, and the selected teachers have already reported to their respective stations. Prior to their confirmation, TSC conducted a vetting exercise from February 17 to 28, 2025, where shortlisted candidates underwent document verification.

After selection, successful applicants completed employment forms and received posting letters. Before assuming their new positions, they were required to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA) via the Afya Yangu portal.

In this replacement drive, TSC declared 5,862 positions for primary schools, 21 for junior secondary schools, and 2,824 for secondary schools. Additionally, the Commission has secured funding for the 2025–2026 financial year to recruit 18,000 new JSS intern teachers.

This recruitment drive is expected to commence in November 2025. Further allocations were made to employ another 18,000 teachers on permanent and pensionable terms for both primary and post-primary institutions.

Despite these efforts, TSC is grappling with a significant teacher shortage, requiring an additional 72,422 educators to address the staffing crisis in JSS. The Commission’s CEO, Dr. Nancy Macharia, stated that a total of 149,350 teachers are needed to adequately manage Grades 7, 8, and 9. Currently, TSC employs 76,928 JSS teachers, accounting for 51.5% of the required workforce.

These include 20,000 JSS interns, 39,550 teachers initially hired as interns but later confirmed, 8,378 P1 teachers deployed to JSS in 2023 and 2024, and 9,000 teachers recruited on permanent terms.

Ongoing Teacher Training and Deployment

TSC has continuously worked to equip teachers with the necessary skills, having retooled 229,292 educators on the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) since April 2019. Between May 2023 and November 2024 alone, 60,642 JSS teachers underwent retooling. To further alleviate the teacher shortage, TSC plans to deploy 6,000 Primary Teacher Education (PTE) teachers to JSS in April.

The Teacher Internship Programme is a structured one-year initiative aimed at enhancing the skills and competencies of individuals entering the teaching profession. It targets unemployed registered teachers who are assigned to learning institutions, where they gain experience through mentorship, coaching, and hands-on teaching practice. While the standard internship duration is twelve months, many recent interns have served for two years.

Although the internship is not a salaried position, interns assigned to JSS receive a monthly stipend of Ksh 20,000, while those in primary schools earn Ksh 15,000. These payments are subject to statutory deductions, including contributions to NHIF, the Housing Levy, and NSSF. Upon completing the internship, participants receive an internship certificate.

Read Also: KNEC Gears Up for KJSEA Examiner Training for Shortlisted Teachers

Eligibility Criteria and Documentation Requirements

To qualify for a primary school internship, candidates must hold a PTE or DPTE certificate and be registered with TSC. For JSS, applicants need at least a Diploma, a C+ grade in KCSE, and a C+ in two teaching subjects, along with TSC registration.

During the verification and interview process, applicants must present the following documents:

• A copy of their Teacher Registration Certificate or a printout from the TSC online portal.
• A copy of their National Council for Persons with Disability (NCPWD) card, if applicable.
• A copy of their National Identity Card (ID) or passport.
• Two color passport-size photographs.
• A copy of their National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) card.
• A copy of their Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) PIN.

Upon successful completion of the internship, teacher interns receive an internship certificate, validating their participation in the program and enhancing their career prospects.

TSC Sub-County Directors to Oversee JSS Intern Teacher Replacements.

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