TSC recruitment of 18,000 JSS intern teachers start in earnest

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has started the process that will see recruitment of 18,000 junior school intern teachers in September.

Sources close to the Commission have hinted that the advert for the recruitment could be out as early as this month after the new CS Education, Julius Ogambo and CS Treasury John Mbadi were sworn into office.

The recruitment of the intern teachers and confirmation of 46,000 serving ones to permanent terms is contained in the Supplementary Appropriation (No. 2) Bill 2024 which was signed by President William Ruto this week.

The Commission had planned to hire new interns and confirm the serving ones in July but was then postponed due to budget constraints following quashing of the 2024 Finance Bill.

Principal Secretary (PS) for Basic Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang, said so far 56,000 teachers have been recruited for the success of the Competency Based Assessment (CBC) and there are plans to hire 18,000 junior and 2,000 primary interns this financial year.

PS Kipsang also announced that the government is building 18,000 classrooms to accommodate Grade 9 learners in January next year.

He said 11,000 classes are being developed with support from development partners while 7,000 classes are being built through CDF.

He said the government is fully committed to the success of CBC and is working with all partners to put in place the necessary infrastructure.

Kipsang said all plans were also in place to ensure smooth transition from Grade 9 to Grade 10 in 2026.

He spoke in Eldoret at the official opening of the 96th Kenya Music Festival presided over by Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii.

The Teacher Internship Programme is a one year programme meant to equip and sustain competencies of persons entering the teaching service.

The programme targets unemployed registered teachers to be assigned to learning institutions where their teaching experience will be enhanced through mentorship, coaching and exposure to practical teaching experience.

Application for TSC internship shall strictly be done online.

To be eligible to serve as intern in primary school one must be a holder of a PTE or DPTE certificate and is registered with TSC.

Those in junior school must have at least a Diploma and C+ in KCSE with C+ in two teaching subjects. They must also be registered with TSC.

During verification/ interviews, applicants shall be required to produce the following: –

i) A copy of Teacher Registration Certificate/print-out from TSC online portal as evidence of registration as a teacher;

ii) A copy of National Council for Persons with Disability (NCPWD) card (where applicable);

iii) A copy of the National Identity Card (ID) or Passport;

iv) Two (2) colour passport size photographs;

v) A copy of National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) card;

vi) A copy of Kenya Revenue Authority Personal Identification Number (KRA PIN).

Interns attached to primary schools will earn a monthly stipend of sh 15,000 while those in junior school will get sh 20,000.

On successful completion of the Internship Programme, teacher interns will be awarded an internship certificate which will carry some marks during their confirmation to permanent terms.