In a significant development within the education sector, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) may soon double the monthly stipend of intern teachers from Ksh. 15,000 to Ksh. 30,000. This proposal was recently tabled in the Senate by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, who expressed concern over the current stipend. He emphasized, “How do you give an intern teacher Ksh. 15,000 as a stipend? That is why they are being misused. I propose we increase the amount from the current Ksh. 15,000 to Ksh. 30,000.” If approved, this adjustment will help alleviate the financial hardships faced by many intern teachers.
Key Takeaways
- The proposed increase in stipends aims to improve the financial situations of intern teachers.
- The TSC Teacher Internship Programme is a one-year initiative targeting unemployed registered teachers.
- Interns currently receive stipends of Ksh. 15,000 for Primary School and Ksh. 20,000 for Junior Secondary Schools.
- 24,000 new intern teachers are set to be deployed to junior schools in January 2026.
The TSC Teacher Internship Programme provides a pathway for unemployed registered teachers to gain practical teaching experience through mentorship and coaching at local learning institutions. The standard internship period spans twelve months, although some interns have previously served for up to two years if their contracts were renewed. While the teacher internship is generally not a paid position, interns in Primary Schools currently receive Ksh. 15,000 per month, and those in Junior Secondary Schools earn Ksh. 20,000. Importantly, these stipends are subject to statutory deductions, including the Housing Levy and NSSF contributions, where applicable. Upon successful completion of the program, teacher interns receive certificates that acknowledge their training and experience.
Currently, the TSC is preparing to post 24,000 intern teachers to junior schools starting January 2026. This plan was shared by Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba during the World Teachers’ Day celebrations held on October 6th at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi. CS Ogamba noted that the new recruitment drive would increase the total number of teachers hired in the last three years to 100,000, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of educational reform within the country.
“Seventy-six thousand teachers have already been employed, and an additional 24,000 will be employed by January 2026,” stated Ogamba. Following the completion of an application exercise, the TSC is set to begin a document verification exercise in December, which will lead to the signing of contracts and subsequent deployments to schools. Furthermore, the CS indicated that more recruitment would follow in the upcoming year to address the persistent teacher shortages in junior schools, projecting an addition of 16,000 teachers later in the year.
In support of this initiative, the government has allocated Ksh. 950 million to the TSC for retooling programs that aim to enhance teachers’ skills through training in Competency Based Education (CBE). TSC Chairperson Jamleck Muturi emphasized that the recruitment processes have undergone digital transformation for improved efficiency and transparency, stating, “Registration of teachers has been automated, and recruitment is now fully online. By January, 24,000 teachers will be in class.”
As of now, TSC has received over a hundred thousand applications for the advertised junior school teaching slots, with successful candidates set for a one-year internship from January 1 to December 31, 2026. Shortlisted applicants will need to provide the following documents during the verification process:
- National Identification Card (ID)
- Certificate of Registration as a Teacher
- Diploma or Degree Certificate and Official Transcript
- KCSE Certificate or its Equivalent
- KCPE Certificate or its Equivalent
- Primary and Secondary School Leaving Certificates
- National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) Card (where applicable)
- An affidavit explaining name variances under the Oaths and Statutory Declarations Act
- Letter of Certification of Results by KNEC (if applicable)
The expected changes in stipend rates and the upcoming recruitment drive reflect a continued effort by the government to strengthen the educational framework and better support teachers, particularly through improved financial compensation. For more information on educational resources available in Kenya, visit Free CBC Exams or explore Free KCSE Exams.
