TSC Locks Teachers Out of Internship Recruitment on County

By | August 11, 2023
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TSC Locks Teachers Out of Internship Recruitment on County-Specific Requirements

Several university graduates who successfully completed the verification process for internships with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) are outraged after being locked out of the recruitment process.

Those in Nairobi who were summoned by TSC for the final verification process that paves the way for the signing of one-year internship agreements say they were surprised to be asked to provide proof of birth or voter registration in specific sub-counties.

They stated that this was not one of the requirements that TSC sub-county officials had asked them to meet after their applications were approved.

The required documents include birth certificates, marriage certificates, property deeds, and voter identification cards.

A text message was sent to one of the graduate teachers who had applied for an internship opportunity at Makadara sub- county’s Junior Secondary School.

In addition to academic certificates, successful applicants were required to carry along two passport-sized photographs, a KRA pin certificate, a clear bank plate or ATM card, a duly filled out pay point particulars form, an NHIF card, an NSSF card, a primary and secondary school leaving certificate, and an original medical examination report.

Others included a copy of the Personal Accident Insurance Cover, a graduation booklet with only their names on the cover page and serial number page, an Affidavit (where names differ or initials are used), a signed next-of-kin form downloaded from the TSC website, a birth certificate, and a national identification card.

However, the applicants were surprised when administrators, primarily assistant county commissioners (formerly D.Os), approached them and demanded proof of their birth in their respective sub-counties, ownership of property, or voter registration.

The Standard was unable to obtain a prompt response from the TSC regarding the complaints.

Some applicants who were rejected reported feeling dejected after spending weeks preparing for the examination.

“Imagine hustling to get all these requirements in order, including purchasing personal accident coverage… I purchased one yesterday,” said a frustrated applicant who has been seeking employment with TSC since graduating in 2016, but who wished to remain anonymous for fear of victimization.

“It would have been preferable if we had never been asked to present those documents and sign letters of internship,” he said.

Another applicant requested clarification as to whether TSC has adopted a recruitment model similar to that of the security sector, where only native-born citizens are permitted to join the police, the military, and other security agencies.

The applicant stated, “We believed this to be an invitation to sign an internship agreement after passing the verification stage (interview), but we were rejected.”

TSC had previously issued extensive recruitment guidelines for the operation. The commission solicited applications from qualified candidates for 20,000 teacher internship positions last month.

To support the implementation of the new curricula, 18,000 intern instructors will be assigned to junior secondary schools (JSS), while the remaining 2,000 will be assigned to primary schools.

According to Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia, the application period was supposed to last two weeks and end on July 18, but it is still open.

Successful candidates for JSS will be required to instruct various curriculum-based learning areas and will receive a monthly honorarium of Sh20,000. Those who teach in primary schools are compensated ksh.15,000.

The intern contract, according to Macharia, is intended to equip and maintain the competencies of individuals entering the teaching profession and expires after one year.

“The program assigns unemployed registered teachers to learning institutions where their teaching experience will be enhanced through mentoring, coaching, and exposure to practical teaching experiences,” she explained.

According to TSC, JSS instructors must possess a minimum of a diploma in education and a grade of C+ (Plus) in two teaching subjects on the KCSE.

Applicants to primary school teaching positions must possess a P1 Certificate.

Macharia stated that the commission intends to hire at least 25,000 teachers annually for the next five years, provided sufficient funds are available.

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