The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced a nationwide recruitment drive to fill 9,159 teacher vacancies in public primary, junior secondary and secondary schools.
The positions have fallen vacant due to retirements, resignations and deaths.
According to the official advert seen by Kenya Insights, 7,065 vacancies are allocated to primary schools, 12 to junior schools and 2,082 to secondary schools. All successful recruits will serve on permanent and pensionable terms.
Application Window Now Open
TSC has directed all qualified candidates to submit their applications online through the Commission’s website at www.tsc.go.ke under the Careers section or via teachersonline.tsc.go.ke.
The application deadline is December 8, 2025 at midnight.
The Commission has uploaded detailed vacancy listings for each county and school on its online portal.
Applicants have been warned that manual submissions will not be accepted and that those who submit more than one application form risk disqualification.
Attrition and Shortages Trigger New Hiring Round
This recruitment is part of an ongoing effort to replace teachers lost through natural attrition.
In December 2024, TSC advertised 8,707 positions and data showed that 8,018 teachers left the service between June 2022 and January 2023.
In May 2025, the Commission announced another 2,014 vacancies. Projections later suggested that more than 10,000 teachers could exit the payroll in June, prompting fresh pressure on the government to act.
The teacher shortage has been most severe in junior secondary schools.
Former TSC CEO Nancy Macharia previously stated that junior and senior schools required an additional 98,261 teachers to function effectively.
She noted that more than 300,000 trained and registered teachers remain unemployed, and that funding constraints are the biggest barrier to large scale recruitment.
The rollout of senior schools in 2026 is expected to widen the staffing gap even further unless more funds are allocated.
TSC Plans to Hire 24,000 Intern Teachers in January
In addition to permanent recruitment, TSC plans to hire 24,000 intern teachers in January 2026 to support learning continuity.
Contracts for the current cohort of 20,000 interns will expire in December, raising concerns about disruptions in schools if replacements are not secured.
However, the internship programme has faced criticism from teachers unions that argue the initiative is not properly anchored in law and may exploit young teachers.
Minimum Requirements for Applicants
To qualify for the advertised positions, applicants must meet the following conditions:
•Be Kenyan citizens
•Hold a minimum P1 certificate for primary school teaching
•Hold a Diploma in Education for junior secondary and secondary school positions
•Be registered with the TSC
Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously been employed by the Commission.
Successful candidates may be posted anywhere in the country, regardless of the county in which they were interviewed.
TSC Recruitment: Step-by-step guide to apply for the 9,159 teacher vacancies
Before you start
1.Check eligibility
•Must be a Kenyan citizen.
•Primary applicants need a P1 certificate.
•Junior and secondary applicants need a Diploma in Education.
•Must be registered with TSC.
2. Prepare required documents
•National ID or birth certificate number.
•Academic and professional certificates (scanned copies). Keep originals for later verification.
•TSC registration number.
•Clear recent passport photo (digital).
•Up-to-date CV with contact details.
•Any other certificates required for specific subject posts.
3. Set up access
•Use a reliable internet connection.
•Use a desktop or laptop if possible. A mobile device can work but larger screens make form filling easier.
•Create or confirm access to the email address and phone number you will use to register.
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Step 1 — Visit the TSC application portal
1.Open www.tsc.go.ke and go to the Careers section, or open teachersonline.tsc.go.ke.
2.If you have applied in previous TSC exercises you can log in with your existing credentials. If not, register as a new user.
Step 2 — Register or log in
1.Click Register if you are a new user.
2.Fill in the basic personal details accurately.
3.Confirm your email and phone number if the portal sends verification codes.
4.Note your username and password and keep them safe.
Step 3 — Complete the online application form
1.Choose the correct job category (Primary, Junior, Secondary).
2.Select the county and specific school or leave flexible if you are open to any posting.
3.Enter your TSC registration number and details of your qualifications.
4.Upload scanned documents where prompted:
•Certificates, ID, photo and CV.
•Ensure files meet the portal size and format requirements (usually PDF or JPG).
5.Double check every field for typos and accuracy.
Step 4 — Submit only once
1.The Commission will disqualify multiple applications from the same person.
2.Review the entire form and uploaded documents before clicking Submit.
3.After submission, save or screenshot the confirmation page and any application reference number.
Step 5 — Track your application
1.Use your portal account to check the status of your application.
2.TSC may publish shortlist and interview notices on the portal and on county notice boards.
3.Keep an eye on your email and SMS for any official communications.
Step 6 — Prepare for shortlisting and interview
1.If shortlisted, be ready to present original certificates and identification at interview.
2.Prepare to explain your teaching experience and subject competence.
3.Arrive early for interviews and bring printed copies of all documents.
Step 7 — Accepting offer and posting
1.Successful applicants will receive official communication via the portal or email.
2.Note that the Commission can post hires to any county.
3.Accept the posting and complete any onboarding procedures as instructed.
Quick checklist before you submit
•Kenyan ID number ready
•TSC registration number ready
•Scanned certificates uploaded and legible
•Recent passport photo uploaded
•CV uploaded
•Single completed application submitted
•Screenshot or copy of confirmation / reference number saved
Warning to Job Seekers
The Commission has cautioned applicants to beware of fraudsters posing as recruitment agents or intermediaries.
TSC stressed that the recruitment process is free of charge.
Cases of suspected fraud should be reported to the nearest TSC office, police station or through official contacts, which include:
•Director Staffing: 0202892193
•Deputy Director Staffing: 0202892131
•Email: [email protected]
The Commission reiterated that only information and procedures published on its official website should be relied on.
