Recruitment Freeze: TSC Prioritizes Intern Confirmation Over New P&P Hiring

Melly Puts TSC on the Spot Over Stalled Promotions and Intern Confirmation

𝐁𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢

𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐲, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

The long-awaited path to job security for thousands of Kenyan educators has become clearer following a high-stakes meeting at Bunge Towers.

Appearing before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Education, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) confirmed that 20,000 intern teachers are slated for transition to Permanent and Pensionable (P&P) terms within the 2026/27 Financial Year.

The session, chaired by Hon. Julius Melly, saw TSC officials—led by Acting CEO Ms. Eveleen Mitei—grilled on the Commission’s budget estimates, teacher welfare, and the slow pace of career advancement.

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The Road to Confirmation: January 2027

Of the 44,000 teachers currently serving under the internship program, the first cohort of 20,000 is expected to be absorbed into the permanent workforce by January 2027.

TSC officials clarified that these teachers must first complete their mandatory two-year service period.

Crucially, the Commission signaled a “freeze” on fresh permanent recruitment, stating they cannot proceed with new P&P hiring while the current pool of interns awaits their turn for confirmation.

Promotions: A SH 2 Billion Boost

Teacher stagnation has been a persistent thorn in the side of the profession, but relief may be on the horizon.

The Committee revealed that sh 2 billion has been allocated specifically toward teacher promotions.

• The Target: Approximately 30,000 teachers are targeted for promotion this year.
• The Criteria: Promotion slots will largely depend on vacancies created by those exiting the service.
• The Directive: Chairperson Melly urged the Commission to hasten this process, citing the need to restore morale among long-serving educators.

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Legislative Concerns: WIBA and Certificate Withholding

The meeting wasn’t all good news. A major red flag was raised regarding the Work Injury Benefit Act (WIBA).

TSC admitted that while they had requested funds to compensate teachers injured in the line of duty, the budget allocation remained unfunded, leaving many vulnerable staff without a safety net.

Legislators also took the Commission to task over reports of principals reportedly “holding onto” teachers’ academic certificates, a practice the Committee wants stopped immediately to allow teachers to pursue further opportunities.

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Fairness and the New Progression Guidelines

Addressing the “elephant in the room”—regional disparities—the Committee urged the TSC to ensure that promotions and recruitment are distributed fairly across all counties.

In a significant move toward policy reform, Hon. Melly directed the TSC to provide the Committee with the Teachers’ Progression Guidelines for a thorough review.

The goal is to ensure the guidelines are realistic, fair, and address the actual needs of teachers rather than acting as a barrier to advancement.

The Bottom Line

With over 100,000 teachers recruited in the last three years, the scale of the TSC’s workforce is unprecedented.

However, as Ms. Mitei and her team noted, the focus now shifts from quantity to quality—ensuring that those already in the system are promoted fairly, compensated for injuries, and given the permanent status they have earned through years of internship service.

“We must hasten the promotion process. Teachers need to see that their hard work and dedication lead to tangible career growth,” — Hon. Julius Melly, Chairperson.