The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has begun inviting applicants for document verification following its November advertisement for 9,159 replacement jobs in public primary, junior and secondary schools. This recruitment is for permanent and pensionable positions to replace teachers who exited service through natural attrition. Applicants shortlisted are receiving SMS invites and must attend verification starting the coming week.
Key Takeaways
- 9,159 TSC replacement jobs advertised: 7,065 primary, 12 junior, 2,082 secondary.
- Shortlisted candidates will attend document verification; shortlisted teachers receive SMS invites.
- Primary applicants must hold a P1 certificate; post-primary need a minimum Diploma in Education or Degree.
- Serve on permanent and pensionable terms; placements may be anywhere in the country.
Overview of TSC replacement jobs
The TSC replacement jobs exercise aims to fill vacancies created by attrition. Appointments are on permanent and pensionable terms. Applications closed on 8th December and TSC will use merit lists from the verification exercise for this and subsequent recruitments during the 2025/2026 financial year.
Who is eligible
To qualify applicants must:
- Be a Kenyan citizen.
- Be registered with the Teachers Service Commission.
- Hold a P1 certificate for primary school posts, or at least a Diploma in Education (for JSS and secondary) or a Degree where applicable.
Documents required for verification
Candidates must present original documents and legible photocopies during verification. Below are the documents listed by TSC for each category.
Primary school teachers
- National identification card.
- Certificate of Registration as a teacher (TSC registration).
- Evidence of completion of Upgrade Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (UDPTE) where applicable.
- PTE Certificate.
- KCSE certificate(s) or equivalent (include certificates for re-sits).
- KCPE certificate or equivalent (include certificates for re-sits).
- Letter of certification of results by KNEC where applicable.
- Primary and secondary school leaving certificates and other testimonials.
- National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) Card, where applicable.
- An affidavit (Oaths and Statutory Declarations Act, Cap 15) to explain name variances, if needed.
Post-primary teachers (JSS and secondary)
- National identification card.
- Certificate of Registration as a teacher (TSC registration).
- Diploma or Degree certificate and official transcripts.
- KCSE and KCPE certificates or equivalents (include re-sit certificates).
- Primary and secondary school leaving certificates and other relevant testimonials.
- NCPWD Card, where applicable.
- An affidavit to explain any variance in names, if applicable.
- Letter of certification of results by KNEC where applicable.
Note: Serving intern teachers who scored 50 marks on the scoresheet only need to present their national identity cards during verification. Persons with disabilities should declare their status and the nature of the disability to inform placement.
Verification process and merit lists
Verification interviews will focus on original document checks. After verification, the TSC Sub-County Director will compile a merit list of verified applicants. These merit lists will be available to the public on request in a manner that protects the recruitment process and complies with the Data Protection Act, 2019. Merit lists generated may be used in later recruitment within the financial year.
How to prepare for verification
Prepare well before your scheduled date:
- Gather all originals and make clear photocopies of every required document.
- Ensure your TSC registration and academic certificates match your ID; if names differ, obtain an affidavit in advance.
- Confirm the SMS invite details and the verification venue with your Sub-County TSC office.
- Refresh subject knowledge and professional practice using past papers and curriculum notes — for example, review Diploma in Education past papers for teaching methods and assessment practice.
- Brush up on exam-level content with resources such as KCSE exams or KCPE exams where relevant to your teaching level.
- Understand the current curriculum by consulting the CBC curriculum designs if applying for junior or primary roles linked to the competency-based curriculum.
General recruitment rules and posting
Key rules to remember:
- Manual applications are not accepted; only applications submitted through the TSC website or teachersonline.tsc.go.ke were valid.
- Applicants must not submit more than one application; multiple applications lead to disqualification.
- Preference may be given to applicants who have not been previously employed by TSC.
- Successful candidates may be posted to any part of the country and not necessarily where they were interviewed.
Fraud caution and reporting
The recruitment exercise is free of charge. Applicants should be alert to fraudsters who may attempt to extort money. Any suspicious or fraudulent activity should be reported to the nearest TSC office, the Teachers Service Commission headquarters, or local police. TSC has provided internal staffing contacts in official communications for reporting recruitment-related fraud.
