The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) teacher recruitment guidelines 2026 explain how junior and senior school teachers are selected, verified and employed on permanent and pensionable terms. These guidelines cover application channels, required documents, selection panels, scoring, qualifications and the complaint process so applicants and school officials know the steps and standards to follow.
Key Takeaways
- All applications must be submitted online at www.teachersonline.go.ke and applicants must be registered with TSC.
- Original academic and professional documents are required for verification; provisional transcripts are not accepted.
- Selection panels must be properly inducted and must follow the published score guides and panel composition rules.
- At least 5% of advertised slots are reserved for teachers with disabilities; interviewees with hearing/speech impairments may use an interpreter.
TSC teacher recruitment guidelines 2026
These guidelines set clear steps for the recruitment exercise during the 2025/2026 financial year. They require decentralised selection by Regional, County and Sub-County Directors, while preserving central verification at TSC headquarters. The process emphasises transparency, fairness and compliance with the TSC Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethics.
General application and selection process
- Applicants must apply for specific vacancies via teachersonline.go.ke for the institution, sub-county or county advertising the post.
- County Directors generate applicant lists and share them with Sub-County Directors who convene selection panels and schedule interviews.
- Applicants receive SMS notifications at least seven days before the verification exercise.
- Sub-County panels verify registration and documents before interviews to avoid engaging ineligible candidates.
Documents required for verification
Applicants must present originals and clear photocopies of all required documents at the verification stage. Key items include:
- National ID card
- Certificate of Registration as a teacher
- Diploma or Degree certificate with official transcripts (no provisional transcripts)
- KCSE and KCPE certificates (include certificates for any re-sits)
- Primary and secondary school leaving certificates and other testimonials
- NCPWD card where applicable and an affidavit for any name variance
Selection panels and scoring
Panels differ by school type but must include TSC and community representation where applicable. For schools with a Board of Management (BOM), the BOM chairperson chairs the panel. Panels must use the approved selection score guide and keep signed minutes and score sheets.
- Institutions with BOMs: BOM Chair (chair), head (secretary), subject specialist, PA chair, TSC Sub-County representative.
- Schools without BOMs: TSC Sub-County Director (chair), head (secretary), subject specialist, PA representatives.
- Junior secondary schools: TSC Sub-County Director (chair), HR officer (secretary), Curriculum Support Officer (member).
Selection criteria and tie-breakers
Only applicants who meet advertised requirements are interviewed. Panels score each candidate using the selection score guide. If applicants tie, the following priorities apply:
- Length of time since graduation
- Strength of academic and professional certificates
- If aggregates remain equal, subject grades are reviewed
Preference is given to applicants not previously employed on permanent and pensionable terms, and then to those from the sub-county followed by the county, in order of merit.
Qualifications required
Qualifications vary by category. Summary:
- Graduate teachers: Minimum KCSE mean grade C+ and C+ in both teaching subjects, plus a Bachelor of Education or a relevant degree plus PGDE.
- Diploma teachers: Minimum KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in teaching subjects and a Diploma in Education.
- Technical teachers: Minimum KCSE C+ and a B.Ed Tech, BSc in a technical subject with KTTC Diploma in Technical Teacher Education, Higher Diploma or Diploma in a technical course.
Note: Degrees in subjects not on the current secondary curriculum (for example theology, journalism, or certain agriculture-related degrees) do not automatically qualify without relevant curriculum alignment or enhancement units.
Validation, offers and headquarters submission
County Directors must verify recruitment files and ensure all attachments follow the approved checklist before issuing Offer of Employment letters. Required items to submit to headquarters include certified copies of ID, registration certificate, academic and professional certificates, transcripts, NCPWD card where applicable, affidavit (if needed), medical report (GP 69), passport photos and completed pay point details.
Complaints and appeals
Applicants dissatisfied with the selection must submit a written complaint to the County Director and email staffing at headquarters within seven days. The County Director must respond within seven days. Appeals against a county decision or complaints about the County Director are handled by the Appeals Committee on staffing functions at TSC Headquarters within 14 days.
Practical advice for applicants and schools
- Confirm your TSC registration and ensure all documents are original and legible before the interview date.
- If you need subject syllabus references, review the CBC curriculum designs and the CBC lesson plans for teaching guidance.
- Diploma holders preparing for recruitment can strengthen their application by practising with past papers available at Diploma in Education past papers.
Important notes
- Only registered teachers per Section 23(1) of the TSC Act are eligible for appointment.
- Any form or offer based on misleading information will be cancelled and may lead to deregistration.
- The Commission reserves the right to conduct recruitment centrally from headquarters despite decentralisation.
