The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has opened an online recruitment exercise for 20,000 Post-Primary School teachers to strengthen staffing in Junior Schools across Kenya.
The recruitment, announced under the 2026/2027 Financial Year, comes as the country continues to implement the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system and address teacher shortages in Junior Schools.
The application portal opened on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, and will close at midnight on Monday, August 31, 2026.
Although the recruitment is expected to provide a pathway for the confirmation of serving Junior School intern teachers, TSC has also invited other qualified, unemployed and registered teachers to apply.
The implementation of CBC and CBE has significantly changed teaching and learning in Kenya. Junior Schools, covering Grades 7, 8 and 9, require teachers with the appropriate academic and professional qualifications to deliver various learning areas effectively.
However, the rapid expansion of Junior Schools has created significant staffing challenges. Many schools continue to operate with teacher shortages, resulting in increased workloads and large class sizes.
The recruitment of 20,000 teachers is therefore expected to help:
– Reduce teacher shortages in Junior Schools.
– Improve teacher-to-learner ratios.
– Reduce teachers’ workloads.
– Strengthen the delivery of specialised learning areas.
– Support the continued implementation of Competency-Based Education.
The recruitment exercise is closely linked to the transition of Junior School intern teachers to permanent employment.
There are currently two major cohorts of Junior School interns:
- 20,000 interns recruited in January 2025: These teachers were engaged on two-year contracts and are expected to complete their internship period by December 31, 2026.
- 24,000 interns recruited in January 2026: These teachers are serving under a separate two-year internship period and are expected to become eligible for transition at a later date.
The recruitment therefore provides an important opportunity for the Commission to address staffing needs while managing the transition of eligible interns into permanent employment.
Yes. Qualified teachers who are not currently serving as interns are encouraged to submit their applications.
Although serving interns may have an advantage because of their experience and the Commission’s transition arrangements, external applicants can still benefit from vacancies arising from retirements, resignations, deaths and other forms of natural attrition.
Applicants should therefore not assume that the positions are exclusively reserved for interns.
Teachers should carefully study the advertised vacancies and apply within the appropriate county and sub-county.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the official TSC recruitment guidelines.
1. Kenyan Citizenship
Applicants must be Kenyan citizens and should be prepared to present valid identification documents during verification.
2. Academic and Professional Qualifications
Applicants are required to have:
– At least a Diploma in Education from a recognised institution.
– A minimum KCSE mean grade of C+ (Plus) or its equivalent.
– At least C+ (Plus) in two teaching subjects relevant to the Junior School curriculum.
Candidates with foreign or equivalent qualifications should ensure that their qualifications have been appropriately recognised and verified.
3. TSC Registration
Applicants must be registered teachers with the Teachers Service Commission and have a valid TSC registration number or certificate.
Teachers whose registration has not been approved should not assume that they qualify for the recruitment exercise.
Important Recruitment Rules
Applicants should take note of the following requirements:
– Applications must be submitted online through the official TSC recruitment platform.
– Manual applications will not be accepted.
– Applicants must provide accurate personal, academic and professional information.
– Candidates must not submit multiple applications.
– Shortlisted applicants must present their original documents during verification.
– Selection will be based on merit and the available vacancies.
– Applicants should apply according to the advertised county and sub-county vacancies.
– Serving interns who are successfully retained are expected to continue serving in their existing areas, subject to the applicable recruitment guidelines.
Teachers who transition to permanent and pensionable employment can expect improved remuneration compared with the internship stipend.
Basic Salary
A graduate teacher appointed at Grade C2 starts at a basic salary of approximately Ksh 39,070, with annual salary increments up to the applicable maximum.
Allowances
Depending on the teacher’s station and applicable TSC rates, teachers may also receive:
– House allowance: Varies according to the station and job grade.
– Commuter allowance: Applicable at the prescribed rate.
– Hardship allowance: Paid to teachers serving in designated hardship areas.
– Annual leave allowance: Paid annually according to TSC terms.
– Medical cover: Teachers are covered under the applicable teachers’ medical scheme.
– Other leave benefits: Including annual, maternity and study leave, subject to TSC regulations.
Applicants should confirm the latest salary and allowance rates from official TSC sources because remuneration rates may change.
How to Apply for the 20,000 Positions
The application process is entirely online.
Step 1: Visit the TSC Website
Access the official Teachers Service Commission website and proceed to the recruitment section.
Step 2: Open the Recruitment Portal
Select the relevant link for the Post-Primary School teacher vacancies in Junior Schools advertised for August 2026.
Step 3: Log In or Create Your Profile
Enter the required personal information, including:
– TSC registration details.
– National ID information.
– KCSE results.
– Professional qualifications.
– Teaching subjects.
– Contact information.
Ensure that all information is accurate.
Step 4: Select the Relevant Vacancy
Choose the appropriate advertised position and indicate your preferred county and sub-county according to the available vacancies.
Step 5: Complete the Application
Carefully fill in all required sections and review the information before submission.
Step 6: Submit Before the Deadline
Submit the application before the portal closes at midnight on August 31, 2026.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early rather than waiting until the final day.
TSC is an equal opportunity employer and encourages qualified Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to apply.
Applicants with disabilities should benefit from the relevant affirmative action measures and reasonable accommodation provided under applicable laws and recruitment guidelines.
