The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has unveiled a major recruitment drive, advertising a total of 5,690 vacancies for school heads, including principals, deputy principals, headteachers, and deputy headteachers. This advertisement marks an important step in addressing staffing needs in Kenya’s education sector, as schools continue to navigate the challenges of a growing student population and a dynamic education system.
In a public notice, TSC CEO Nancy Macharia outlined the breakdown of the positions available. The Commission is seeking to fill 755 principal positions (Grade D3, T-scale 13) and 816 deputy principal positions (Grade D1, T-scale 11) in secondary schools. Additionally, 1,208 headteacher positions (Grade C5, T-scale 10) and 2,911 deputy headteacher positions (Grade C4, T-scale 9) are available in primary and secondary schools across the country.
The announcement, made on November 12, 2024, provides a crucial opportunity for qualified candidates to apply for these prestigious roles. Interested applicants are required to submit their applications through the TSC online portal, accessible at www.teachersonline.go.ke. The deadline for submission is November 18, 2024, at midnight. TSC has made it clear that only online applications will be considered, and any manual submissions will be disregarded. This online-only application process reflects the Commission’s ongoing efforts to streamline recruitment and ensure transparency in filling vacancies.
The TSC has further emphasized that successful candidates will be posted to schools where the vacancies exist, reinforcing the Commission’s commitment to addressing staffing shortages in various regions. These appointments are expected to contribute significantly to the improvement of school leadership across the country.
This recruitment comes just one month after TSC launched another major hiring campaign, which aimed to fill 46,000 teaching positions in primary and secondary schools. Of the total, 6,000 positions were allocated to primary schools, 39,550 to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), and 450 for secondary schools. These roles were advertised for permanent and pensionable contracts, set to begin in January 2025, with TSC having secured Sh13.4 billion from the Treasury for the initiative.
In a report to the Parliamentary Education Committee, Nancy Macharia shared some striking statistics about the response to these teaching vacancies. Between October 1 and 8, 2024, TSC received an overwhelming 314,117 applications. Specifically, 93,646 applications were submitted for the 6,000 primary school posts, 144,177 applications were received for the 39,550 JSS positions, and 76,294 applications were lodged for the 450 secondary school positions.
This high level of interest underscores the continued demand for qualified teachers in Kenya, as well as the importance of ensuring that recruitment processes are efficient and fair. To this end, Macharia informed MPs that TSC had been allocated Sh1 billion for teacher promotions in the 2024/2025 financial year, further highlighting the government’s commitment to improving the teaching profession and rewarding educators for their contributions.
While the TSC has received significant applications for teaching positions, the current advertisement for school heads focuses on leadership roles that are essential for the effective management and strategic direction of schools. Principals and headteachers play a critical role in shaping educational outcomes, creating conducive learning environments, and ensuring the implementation of national education policies.
As the deadline for online applications approaches, interested candidates are urged to ensure they meet the required qualifications and submit their applications on time. TSC has also advised that applicants should carefully follow all instructions on the portal to avoid disqualification. This recruitment drive represents a significant step towards enhancing the leadership capacity within Kenya’s education sector, ensuring that schools are equipped with competent and visionary leaders who can drive educational reforms and improve student outcomes.
In conclusion, the TSC’s advertisement for school heads provides a timely opportunity for qualified candidates to take up leadership positions in Kenya’s education system. With a clear and transparent application process in place, the Commission is set to fill these critical roles and continue its work in improving the quality of education in the country.
