The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is preparing to advertise over 12,000 replacement teaching jobs for primary and secondary schools to fill posts left vacant through natural attrition. This update explains who will be recruited, the timelines, costs involved and what teachers and school managers should do to prepare for the upcoming TSC teacher recruitment exercise.
Key Takeaways
- 12,000+ replacement posts will be advertised on permanent and pensionable terms, with around 8,000 expected in primary schools.
- TSC also plans to recruit and post an additional 24,000 teachers in January following document verification.
- The hiring and replacement exercise is budgeted at about Sh2.4 billion, while long-term recruitment needs are estimated at Sh70 billion for nearly 98,461 teachers.
- Contracts for 20,000 JSS intern teachers will be considered for renewal; P1 teacher recruitment is set to resume from 2026.
TSC teacher recruitment: timeline and numbers
TSC has finalised field service committee work and will advertise the replacement vacancies soon. The commission announced that the replacement jobs will be permanent and pensionable. Around 8,000 of the posts are likely to be in primary schools while the remainder will go to post-primary institutions.
Separately, TSC has already advertised 24,000 junior school internship jobs. Document verification for those interns will begin after KCSE exams are complete, with postings planned for January. TSC has also said it will consider renewing contracts for the 20,000 JSS intern teachers whose contracts expire on 31 December.
Budget and national recruitment context
After signing the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) 2025–2029, TSC stated the immediate replacement and hiring will cost about Sh2.4 billion. The commission further estimates it needs Sh70 billion to recruit roughly 98,461 teachers across junior and senior schools to close the national shortage.
So far, TSC reports recruiting more than 68,000 teachers for junior schools on permanent and pensionable terms across recent financial years, including intern intakes and past recruitment rounds. These numbers reflect a phased approach as the commission balances budgetary limits with staffing needs.
Shortages, placements and policy changes
TSC reports a shortage of about 72,442 teachers in junior schools and 26,039 in secondary schools under the 8-4-4 system. The Commission says primary schools are adequately staffed for now and that the current exercise will focus mainly on replacements where teachers left through attrition.
Importantly, teacher unions raised concerns at State House meetings and the Commission agreed to lift the ban on P1 teacher recruitment starting in 2026. This move will help primary teachers who upgraded PTE to UDPTE or completed the DPTE diploma to access employment opportunities aligned with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Who benefits and expected job grades
Successful candidates for the replacement posts will receive permanent and pensionable terms. TSC has indicated that the first DPTE cohorts will be placed at job group C1 in line with the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) for teachers. Intern teachers in JSS who meet verification requirements may receive contract renewals or conversion to permanent positions depending on needs and funding.
What teachers should prepare now
Teachers and applicants should prepare by ensuring their documents are current and valid ahead of verification. Keep electronic and original copies of academic certificates, identity documents and any professional upgrading certificates ready for inspection.
- Review CBC resources and exam practice materials to strengthen subject knowledge — for example, CBC exam resources are available at free CBC exam resources.
- If you plan to apply for primary or junior school roles, refresh your KCPE and past-paper knowledge using reliable practice papers like the KCPE past papers collection.
- Junior secondary and Grade 9 transition materials such as the 2025 Grade 9 schemes of work can help applicants align their training to current curriculum expectations.
Tips for a successful application
- Apply only when the advertisement is live and use the official TSC application portal or verified recruitment channels.
- Double-check that your professional details on TSC records match your submission to avoid delays during document verification.
- Highlight any accredited upgrades (DPTE, UDPTE) and include proof of completion to support placement at the correct job group.
- Prepare a short, clear curriculum vitae and keep scanned copies of endorsement letters or transcripts readily available.
What school managers and stakeholders need to know
Headteachers and managers should prepare for new arrivals by planning for induction, classroom allocation and mentoring, especially for intern teachers. Local administrators should also keep track of TSC circulars and verification dates to avoid missing important deadlines.
Next steps and expectations
Watch for the official TSC advertisement and the document verification schedule after the KCSE examinations. Candidates should act promptly once the ads are published and follow the verification instructions closely to secure posting in January.
By preparing documents, refreshing curriculum knowledge and understanding the recruitment rules, teachers increase their chances of securing these replacement and internship roles when the TSC recruitment process goes live.
