Published on October 28, 2025
TSC Releases 2025/2026 Junior School Teacher Internship Guidelines — Full Breakdown and Key Changes
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has officially released its long-awaited Circular No. 15/2025, outlining new recruitment guidelines for Teacher Interns in Junior Schools for the 2025/2026 financial year.
This announcement marks one of the most competitive and transparent recruitment cycles in recent years. With thousands of graduates expected to apply, understanding every detail of these guidelines could be the difference between landing your dream teaching post or being disqualified before the interview.
In this comprehensive breakdown, K47 Digital News unpacks the entire circular in simple language—covering qualifications, scoring systems, required documents, tie-breaking rules, and critical deadlines.
If you’re an aspiring teacher in Kenya, this is the only guide you’ll need.
1. How the New TSC Internship Recruitment Works
The TSC has decentralized the entire process to the Sub-County level. That means your Sub-County Director plays the biggest role in determining who gets shortlisted, interviewed, and ultimately selected.
Key points for applicants:
- Applications are strictly online via www.teachersonline.go.ke. Physical or manual submissions will not be accepted.
- You must be a registered teacher with the TSC under Section 23(1) of the TSC Act, 2012. Unregistered applicants will be automatically disqualified.
- Accessible venues: All selection centers must accommodate applicants with disabilities.
- Name discrepancies: If your ID and academic certificates show different names, submit a sworn Affidavit under the Oaths and Statutory Declarations Act (Cap 15).
- Retaken exams: If you re-sat KCPE or KCSE, you must submit certified copies of all certificates from every attempt.
How the process flows:
- TSC County Directors send applicant lists to Sub-County Directors.
- Sub-County Directors convene selection panels and set interview dates.
- Candidates receive SMS notifications at least seven days before the verification and interview date.
- Document verification and merit list compilation follow.
- The final Merit List will be used for all intern recruitments during the 2025/2026 financial year.
2. Inclusivity and Priority Rules
The TSC has reserved 5% of all internship positions for teachers with disabilities. Such applicants must clearly state their disability status and nature in their online application.
In case of a tie in scores, preference will be given in this order:
- Applicant who graduated earlier.
- Applicant with stronger academic/professional qualifications.
- If still tied, individual subject grades are considered.
Additionally:
- Local applicants get priority in recruitment.
- First preference: Applicants from the same Sub-County.
- Second preference: Applicants from the same County.
3. Don’t Get Disqualified — Document Verification Rules
The document verification stage is where many applicants fail. The TSC has adopted a zero-tolerance policy for fake or altered certificates.
You must present both originals and clear photocopies of:
- National ID card (both sides).
- TSC Certificate of Registration.
- Diploma or Degree certificate plus official transcripts (no provisional transcripts allowed).
- KCSE and KCPE certificates (including all attempts).
- Primary and Secondary School leaving certificates.
- NCPWD card (if applicable).
- Affidavit explaining any name variance.
- KNEC letter of certification (where applicable).
Any candidate presenting forged documents faces criminal prosecution, disqualification, and deregistration from the TSC register.
4. Who Sits on the Interview Panel?
Each Sub-County will have a three-member selection panel:
| Panel Role | Official |
|---|---|
| Chairperson | TSC Sub-County Director |
| Secretary | TSC Sub-County Human Resource Officer |
| Member | Curriculum Support Officer |
Applicants must appear in person for interviews. Those with hearing or speech disabilities may attend with a sign language interpreter.
5. Qualifications — Know Where You Stand
5.1 Graduate Teachers
- Minimum KCSE Grade: C+ and C+ in each of the two teaching subjects.
- Accepted degrees:
- Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) with two teaching subjects.
- Bachelor of Science or Arts plus PGDE with two teaching subjects.
- B.Sc./B.A. with Education or Agricultural Education and Extension.
- Special eligibility:
- B.Ed. holders with C Plain in KCSE + C Plain in two teaching subjects are eligible if they also hold a Diploma in Education.
- Diploma holders upgraded to B.Ed. are also eligible.
- Bridging or pre-university courses only count if completed before December 31, 2015.
5.2 Diploma Teachers
- Minimum KCSE Grade: C+ and C+ in two teaching subjects.
- Qualification: Diploma in Education from a recognized institution.
- Exceptions:
- Teachers who graduated in 2008 or earlier with C Plain and C Plain in teaching subjects are eligible.
- Visually and hearing-impaired teachers with the same grades are accepted.
5.3 Technical Teachers
- Minimum KCSE Grade: C+ overall and C+ in teaching subjects.
- Accepted qualifications:
- Bachelor of Education (Technology).
- B.Sc. in a technical area + Diploma in Technical Teacher Education.
- Higher Diploma or Diploma in a technical course.
6. Disqualification Traps You Must Avoid
- Applicants trained in subjects not part of the current secondary curriculum (e.g., Meteorology, Forestry, Journalism, Theology) are not eligible.
- Teachers must have studied at least eight (8) university units in each teaching subject, including Special Methods and at least three months of teaching practice.
- Enhancement certificates are accepted only to fill missing units, not to replace a main subject.
- For Business Studies and Computer Studies, a C+ in Mathematics is mandatory.
- For Agriculture and Home Science, a C+ in Biology is mandatory.
- Special Needs Education (SNE) teachers trained in Kenya Sign Language (KSL) or Braille qualify for SNE Junior Schools.
7. The Secret TSC Scoring System — How You’ll Be Ranked
Your total score determines your ranking on the Merit List. Here’s how it works:
For Regular Applicants:
| Category | Details | Max Score |
|---|---|---|
| Academic & Professional Qualifications | B.Ed. or B.A./B.Sc. + PGDE (First Class = 5, Second Class = 4, Pass = 3) | 5 |
| Age | 50+ years = 10, 45–49 = 9, 40–44 = 8, 39 & below = 7 | 10 |
| Teaching Subject Priority | Science = 65, Mathematics = 55, Technical = 40, Language = 25, Humanities = 5 | 65 |
| Length of Stay Since Qualification | 2016 & before = 20, 2017 = 18, down to 2025 = 2 | 20 |
For Applicants with Disabilities:
Same scoring, but age bracket points are more favorable (45+ = 10, 40–44 = 9, etc.).
🧩 Insight: The subject weighting shows TSC’s strong focus on STEM education. Science and Mathematics teachers have the highest scoring advantage due to national demand.
8. Subject Priority — Who Gets Picked First?
Recruitment will follow this order of need:
- Science Teachers – Biology, Chemistry, Physics.
- Mathematics and Non-Science Teachers.
- Technical & Creative Arts Teachers – Home Science, Agriculture, Computer, Music, Art, Woodwork, Metalwork, etc.
- Language Teachers – English, Kiswahili, French, German, KSL.
- Humanities Teachers – History, Geography, CRE, IRE.
Even if you’re a top-scoring Humanities teacher, the TSC will prioritize Science and Math candidates first.
9. After the Interview — Validation and Document Submission
After the selection, the TSC County Director must:
- Verify Internship Agreements and Offer Letters.
- Confirm eligibility and cross-check all documents.
- Ensure all score sheets and minutes are duly signed.
- Address and record all complaints.
Documents to submit to TSC Headquarters:
- Signed Internship Agreement and Offer Letter.
- Certified copies of all academic and professional documents.
- Two passport-sized photos.
- Medical Form (GP 69).
- KRA PIN, bank card copy, and pay point form.
- Merit Lists (for all and for applicants with disabilities).
- Signed interview minutes and score sheets.
10. Complaints and Appeals — Know Your Rights
If you believe the process was unfair, the TSC allows you to file a complaint within strict deadlines:
- Write to the TSC County Director immediately after the interview.
- Send an email to dirstaffing@tsc.go.ke within 7 days.
- The County Director must respond within 7 days.
- If unsatisfied, appeal to the TSC Appeals Committee at headquarters, which has 14 days to review and act.
11. Public Access, Transparency, and Clarifications
- Merit Lists will be made public upon request (in line with the Data Protection Act, 2019).
- For questions about qualifications or documentation, contact your TSC County Director directly.
- The TSC retains the right to conduct direct recruitment if necessary.
Conclusion: How to Secure Your TSC Internship in 2025
Landing a TSC internship is not just about having the right papers—it’s about strategy, preparation, and precision. Here’s your success roadmap:
- ✅ Get registered early with the TSC and ensure your documents are updated.
- 📚 Understand your score — your teaching subjects can make or break your ranking.
- 🧾 Prepare your documentation — missing a single form can cost you your internship.
- 🕓 Stay informed — follow TSC updates and SMS alerts closely.
With Kenya’s education system shifting toward competency-based learning, this internship is not just an opportunity—it’s your gateway to a permanent teaching career.
