The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has unveiled a significant recruitment drive for the 2025 academic year, aimed at addressing the pressing teacher shortage across the country. In a public notice published in MyGov on December 17, 2024, TSC announced that it will hire a total of 8,707 teachers on permanent and pensionable terms to bridge the gap in the education sector. This recruitment drive marks one of the largest in recent years, as the commission seeks to ensure adequate staffing in both primary and secondary schools.
Out of the 8,707 new teaching positions, the bulk will be deployed to public primary schools, where there is a notable shortage. TSC will recruit 5,862 teachers to fill these roles. The need for more primary school teachers has been exacerbated by increased enrollment and insufficient staffing, particularly in rural and under-served areas. The remaining 2,824 teachers will be assigned to senior secondary schools, aimed at improving the quality of education at this critical level.
Interestingly, only 21 new teachers will be recruited for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS). This low number reflects the transition challenges from primary to junior secondary education and a more cautious approach by the TSC in staffing this new education level, especially as it adjusts to the curriculum changes brought about by the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). The selection criteria for JSS and secondary school teachers are higher; candidates must hold a diploma in education, whereas those applying for primary schools require at least a P1 Certificate.
TSC is encouraging interested candidates to submit their applications online via its official website between December 31, 2024, and January 13, 2025. This digital platform is aimed at streamlining the process and ensuring transparency. The commission emphasized that manual applications will not be considered, reflecting a move towards digital transformation in government processes. This online system is also intended to minimize the chances of corruption and fraud, which has been a significant concern in previous recruitment drives.
The commission has warned against fraudsters who might take advantage of the recruitment process by extorting money from unsuspecting candidates. “The recruitment exercise is free of charge,” TSC stated, urging candidates to be cautious and avoid falling prey to con artists promising shortcuts to secure teaching positions. TSC has assured the public that it will never ask for money in exchange for job placement services.
Recruitment Preferences
TSC has also indicated that preference will be given to applicants who have never been employed by the commission before. This move is part of an effort to provide opportunities to new entrants into the profession and alleviate the issue of employment backlog that has persisted for years. The fresh recruitment also comes on the heels of a previous recruitment drive of 20,000 teacher interns for Junior Secondary Schools, highlighting the ongoing need for more teachers in the face of expanding educational demands.
TSC Leadership Transition
The announcement of this recruitment drive comes at a time of significant transition for the TSC. Nancy Macharia, the current TSC boss, announced her retirement after a decade of service. Her departure marks the end of an era for the commission as it looks to new leadership to oversee the implementation of these recruitment plans and address the evolving challenges in Kenya’s education sector. Macharia’s tenure has seen the TSC adapt to major policy changes, including the roll-out of CBC and its impact on staffing needs.
The mass recruitment of 8,707 teachers represents a critical step towards addressing Kenya’s teacher shortage and ensuring that the education system can meet the needs of an expanding student population. As the application portal opens, TSC’s focus will be on selecting the best candidates who are registered and qualified to serve in these vital roles. This initiative is expected to have a lasting impact on the quality of education in Kenya, setting the stage for a successful start to the 2025 academic year. As TSC transitions to new leadership, the success of this recruitment drive will be a key benchmark for the commission’s future effectiveness in shaping Kenya’s educational landscape.
