The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has confirmed the recruitment of intern teachers and the confirmation of 26,000 others.
A total of 20,000 are to get jobs through the TSC on internship terms starting October this year. She indicated that 18,000 will be hired for junior secondary and 2,000 primary school intern teachers.
Interns attached to primary schools will earn a monthly stipend of Kshs 15,000 while those in junior school will earn Ksh 20,000.
Delays Due To Budget Cuts
The changes were to begin in July but the teachers’ employer postponed the exercise to October following budget constraints.
In an appearance before the National Assembly Education Committee in mid-July, TSC boss, Dr. Nancy Macharia, announced that the commission has experienced severe budget cuts from the Treasury. The on-goings at Treasury affected TSC operations including that of recruiting teachers.
According to TSC, among the programs to be affected by budget cuts which include include July salary increments for teachers from the 2021-2025 CBA. Training of teachers on Competency Based Curriculum (CBA) will also be affected.
The CBA includes a salary increase of up to 9.5% spread over two years. However, the proposed budget cuts cast doubt on the availability of funds for this.
The proposed budget reduces the provision for medical cover, group life, and personal accident cover for teachers by 50%, creating a shortfall of Kshs.11.89 billion.
Teacher’s Internship Programme
TSC Teachers’ Internship Programme is a one-year program, aimed at equipping and sustaining the competencies of persons entering the teaching fraternity.
It only targets unemployed and registered teachers who get assigned to learning institutions where their teaching experience will be enhanced.
Upon completion of the other processes, TSC will announce the application procedures and deadline for the TSC internship.
Documents Required For Recruitment
Teacher applicants shall be required to produce the following:
1. Original and copies of Teacher Registration Certificate/ print-out from the TSC online portal as evidence of registration as a teacher;
2. Copy of National Council for Persons with Disability (NCPWD) card (where applicable);
3. Colored copy of the National Identity Card (ID) or Passport;
4. produced two (2) color passport-size photographs;
5. Copy of National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) card;
6. Copy of Kenya Revenue Authority Personal Identification Number (KRA PIN).
Recruitment and Selection
The Commission invites qualified and registered teachers to apply for vacancies through an online platform, www.teachersonline.go.ke.
The following process should follow:
1. Interested candidates must submit applications online for declared vacancies in specific institutions or sub-counties/counties.
2. as per Section 23(1) of the TSC Act, 2012, only registered teachers are eligible to apply.
3. Shortlisted candidates are notified and invited to attend interviews conducted by a selection panel.
4. The recruitment process is guided by the TSC Guidelines for Recruitment of Teachers.
5. The County Panel will vet the applicants’ documents and thereafter successful candidates are required to fill out employment forms. TSC County Directors forward the completed forms and merit lists to TSC headquarters.
6. Successful candidates are then issued appointment letters. Failure to accept the appointment within the stipulated period results in automatic cancellation.
7. Aggrieved candidates may lodge their complaints with the Commission within seven (7) days of the selection date.
8. More details are posted at www.teachersonline.go.ke during the teacher recruitment.
Fake News Alert
The TSC flagged as fake a letter that was doing rounds on social media purporting to invite applications for the hiring of primary and Junior secondary intern teachers.
The letter had indicated that the teachers’ employer was looking to hire 20,000 intern teachers – 18,000 for Junior secondary and 2,000 for Primary schools to facilitate the implementation of the competency-based curriculum (CBC).
The government has, however, admitted that plans to hire 46,000 JSS intern teachers now lie in limbo as a result of the withdrawn Finance Bill.
