The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced a massive recruitment drive, aiming to hire at least 18,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers by December 2025. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to address the severe staffing crisis in Grade 7, 8, and 9 classes, which currently suffer from a 1:1 teacher-to-class ratio. The recruitment will be for a one-year internship term, with both diploma and graduate teachers being considered.
The parliamentary budget and appropriations committee has already approved the necessary funds for this recruitment in the 2025–2026 financial year. The TSC is seeking a whopping Kshs. 382.3 billion budget to cover teacher recruitment, salaries, salary increments, promotions, and other related expenses. Additionally, Kshs. 1.8 billion has been allocated to ensure that 46,000 intern teachers, who were converted to permanent and pensionable terms in January, receive their salaries without interruption throughout the financial year.
Addressing the Teacher Shortage Crisis
The TSC is grappling with a significant teacher shortage, requiring a total of 72,422 teachers to adequately staff JSS. Dr. Nancy Macharia, the TSC CEO, revealed that the Commission needs 149,350 teachers to handle Grades 7, 8, and 9 effectively. Currently, TSC has employed 76,928 teachers in junior secondary schools, representing 51.5% of the required number. This figure includes 20,000 JSS interns, 39,550 JSS teachers who were initially recruited on internship terms but have since been confirmed, 8,378 P1 teachers deployed to JSS in 2023 and 2024, and 9,000 JSS teachers recruited on permanent and pensionable terms.
To further mitigate the shortage, TSC plans to deploy 6,000 Primary Teacher Education (PTE) teachers to JSS in April. Additionally, the Commission has retooled a total of 229,292 teachers on the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) since April 2019. From May 2023 to November 2024 alone, 60,642 JSS teachers have been retooled.
The Teacher Internship Programme
The Teacher Internship Programme is a one-year initiative designed to equip and sustain the competencies of individuals entering the teaching profession. It targets unemployed registered teachers, assigning them to learning institutions where their teaching experience will be enhanced through mentorship, coaching, and practical teaching exposure. Although the internship period is officially twelve months, many recent interns have served for two years.
While the internship is not a remunerative engagement, interns attached to Junior Secondary Schools will receive a monthly stipend of Kshs. 20,000, subject to statutory deductions such as NHIF, Housing Levy, and NSSF where applicable. Upon successful completion of the programme, interns will be awarded a certificate.
Eligibility and Application Process
To be eligible for an internship in primary schools, candidates must hold a PTE or DPTE certificate and be registered with the TSC. For junior secondary schools, candidates must have at least a diploma and a C+ in KCSE, with a C+ in two teaching subjects, and must also be registered with the TSC.
During the verification and interview process, applicants will need to provide the following documents:
- A copy of the Teacher Registration Certificate or a print-out from the TSC online portal as evidence of registration.
- A copy of the National Council for Persons with Disability (NCPWD) card, if applicable.
- A copy of the National Identity Card (ID) or Passport.
- Two (2) colour passport-size photographs.
- A copy of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) card.
- A copy of the Kenya Revenue Authority Personal Identification Number (KRA PIN).
Stipends and Future Prospects
Interns attached to primary schools will earn a monthly stipend of Kshs. 15,000, while those in junior secondary schools will receive Kshs. 20,000. The TSC has also secured additional funds to employ 18,000 teachers on permanent and pensionable terms, with the mass recruitment covering both primary and secondary schools.
This ambitious recruitment drive is a significant step towards addressing the teacher shortage in Kenya’s education system. With the TSC’s comprehensive plan, including retooling, recruitment, and internship programmes, the future looks promising for both teachers and students alike. Stay tuned for more updates on this transformative initiative!
