Art Teachers Call on TSC to Reserve Slots in September’s 16,000 Intern Recruitment
NAIROBI, Kenya — As the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) gears up for the recruitment of 16,000 new junior school teachers in the upcoming financial year, a growing chorus of graduate and diploma teachers specialized in Arts and Language subjects is calling for a more inclusive selection process.
The recruitment drive is a central component of the government’s plan to bridge the teacher deficit in public schools.
However, for many humanities graduates who have remained on the sidelines, the hope is that this cycle will finally move beyond the heavy prioritization of STEM subjects seen in recent years.
The STEM Bias: A Growing Point of Contention
For the past several recruitment cycles, the TSC has heavily favored Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subject combinations.
This trend was particularly evident during the hiring of 24,000 Junior School (JS) intern teachers in early 2025, where applicants with science and technical skills were fast-tracked through the selection process.
The Commission has consistently defended this stance, citing an “acute shortage” of science educators.
Former TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia had previously highlighted that while the country boasts over 400,000 registered but unemployed teachers, the vast majority are trained in the Arts.
She noted that while vacancies for History or CRE can attract up to 5,000 applicants, finding qualified Physics or technical subject teachers remains a significant hurdle.
“We acknowledge the crisis of teacher shortages. We have communicated with the ministry and schools repeatedly regarding the lack of science teachers, but action is necessary,” the Commission noted in previous parliamentary sessions.
Calls for a Balanced Approach
With the new recruitment phase on the horizon, Arts and Language teachers argue that their disciplines are equally critical to the success of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBE).
They contend that the current recruitment guidelines, which give an “upper hand” to STEM combinations, are alienating a massive pool of talented educators who are equally capable of fostering learner development.
They are now urging the TSC to adopt a more balanced score-sheet that recognizes pedagogical excellence regardless of subject combination, ensuring that schools remain well-staffed across all departments—from Literature and Languages to Social Sciences and Sports.
The Path to Permanent Employment
Amid the debate, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to staffing the education sector.
The upcoming recruitment of 16,000 teachers is part of a broader goal to eventually convert all intern teachers to Permanent and Pensionable (PNP) terms.
President William Ruto has previously stated that the internship model is a bridge, with the ultimate plan to transition all interns to permanent status after serving a two-year period.
The government has already set its sights on January 2027 as a pivotal date for this transition, with plans to confirm 20,000 existing interns into PNP roles, backed by a sh 4.7 billion budgetary allocation as stated by Treasury CS John Mbadi.
What Applicants Should Expect
For those preparing for the upcoming recruitment, the process remains rigorous.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for document verification, where they must present:
- A copy of their Teacher Certificate or portal print-out.
- National Identity Card (ID) or Passport.
- Two colour passport-size photographs.
- KRA PIN certificate.
- NCPWD card (where applicable).
Successful candidates will be required to sign a one-year ‘contractual’ agreement.
Contracted teachers assigned to Junior or Senior schools are eligible for a monthly stipend of Sh20,000 (approximately Sh17,000 after statutory deductions like NSSF, SHIF, and the Housing Levy).
A Future of Mentorship and Growth
The Teacher Internship Programme, introduced in 2019, continues to be a cornerstone of the TSC’s strategy to prepare educators for the demands of the CBE.
Once deployed, these teachers undergo rigorous retooling by the TSC, CEMASTEA, and KNEC to ensure they are fully prepared for the classroom.
Furthermore, those who successfully complete their internship are well-positioned for the future.
The TSC grants 50 marks to teachers who have served on ‘contractual’ terms, effectively making their eventual conversion to PNP status nearly automatic.
However President Ruto in a recent directive asked TSC to bypass the traditional interview process for these confirmations, making the transition based purely on years of service
As the July budget cycle approaches, all eyes remain on the TSC, with teachers from all disciplines waiting to see if the next recruitment will offer the inclusive opportunities they have long sought.
