Latest TSC employment guidelines and marking schemes for teachers; teacher recruitment guidelines

Media Team @Educationnewshub.co.ke

October 25, 2024

The latest TSC news on teacher transfers, promotions and recruitment.

TSC LATEST GUIDELINES FOR RECRUITMENT OF TEACHERS POST PRIMARY INSTITUTIONS (SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES)

1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

Following the advertisement for recruitment of teachers by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Boards of Management (BoM) are required to conduct the selection exercise for the advertised vacancy(ies) in their institutions.

The Selection Panel will be expected to exercise the highest degree of transparency and accountability, as stipulated in the Public Officers Ethics Act, and TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics 2015. The Head of Institution is required to induct the panel members on the relevant sections of the Act and CORT 2015 before the commencement of the selection exercise.

The TSC County Director MUST ensure that the recruitment process is done in strict adherence to the laid down protocols by the Ministry of Health on containment of COVID- 19 pandemic.

All applicants must be registered teachers as per Section 23 (1) of the Teachers Service Commission Act, 2012. Applicants who are not registered do not qualify to be recruited.

Applicants who apply for confirmation of results from KNEC should give the address of the County Director where they have submitted their applications.

Applicants whose names differ in the certificates and/or identity cards are required to present sworn affidavit on the difference in names.

Applicants who re-sat either KCPE or KCSE examinations (or their equivalents) MUST present certified copies of the certificate(s) of the national examination(s) in question for all attempts.

Applicants will be required to submit their applications to the Secretary Teachers Service Commission through online platform http://www.teacheronline.tsc.go.ke for the institution where a vacancy has been declared.

A LIST OF DOCUMENTS THAT YOU MUST SUBMIT DURING TSC INTERVIEWS

Upon invitation for interview, applicants will be expected to appear with originals and clear copies of the following documents:

S/N	Required Documents
1	National ID
2	NCPWD card
3	KCPE Certificate
4	KCSE Certificate
5	Diploma/ Degree Certificcate
6	TSC Certificate of Registration
7	TSC internship evidence
8	Sworn affidavit
9	Primary Leaving Certificate
10	Secondary Leaving Certificate

i) National identification card
ii) National Council of Persons with Disability (NCPWD) Card (where applicable);
iii) KCPE certificate or its equivalent (include certificates for attempts if one repeated exams);
iv) KCSE certificates or its equivalent (include certificates for attempts if one repeated exams);
v) Diploma/Degree certificate and official transcripts;
vi) Certificate of Registration as a teacher;
vii) Evidence of service as a teacher intern (where applicable);
viii) Sworn Affidavit where names appearing on the submitted documents differ;
ix) Primary and Secondary School leaving certificates and other relevant testimonials.

The date, venue and time of the interview should be displayed on notice boards at the County, Sub-Counties, Zonal and Institutional offices.

Heads of Institutions should communicate to all shortlisted applicants through SMS (Short Message Service) at least seven (7) days before the actual date of interview. This provision MUST be strictly observed to ensure that all applicants are notified of the date of the interview, venue and time.

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Applicants to be given priority during recruitment

S/N	Nature of Applicant	Description
1	Disabilty	Applicant (s) with disability(ies)
2	Intern	Offered Service as a teacher intern
3	Fresh	Preference to applicants who had not been previously employed by the Commission
4	Early graduates	Preference to applicants who graduated earlier
5	Teaching Practice	If the applicants tie at the aggregate grade, the teaching practice grades should be used

All applicants, irrespective of gender, disability, ethnicity or Home County should be given equal opportunity. However, in case of a tie, consideration will be given on the following aspects in their order of priority:

i) Applicant (s) with disability(ies);
ii) Service as a teacher intern;
iii) Preference to applicants who had not been previously employed by the Commission;
iv) Preference to applicants who graduated earlier;
v) If the applicants tie at the aggregate grade, the teaching practice grades should be used

The names of interviewed applicants ranked in order of performance during the selection process for each vacancy (Appendix iii) will then be submitted to the Commission by the County Director together with Application for Employment forms.

Applicants who were previously employed by the Commission MUST declare their past employment history and reason(s) for break in service (with evidence in
break in service). Applicants who were previously employed by the Commission and FAIL to declare their past employment shall be disqualified. However, preference will be given to applicants who have never been employed by the Commission.

TSC County Directors MUST ensure that Heads of Institutions confirm online registration status of the applicants to avoid engaging unregistered/deregistered teachers in the selection process.

Also read; TSC Guidelines for recruitment of primary school teacher; marking scheme for interns 2022

2.0. AUTHENTICITY OF ACADEMIC, PROFESSIONAL AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

(a)Applicants must present original and legible photocopies of the following documents: –

National identification cards;
National Council of Persons with Disability (NCPWD) Card (where applicable);
Certificate of Registration as a teacher
KCPE (or its equivalent) Certificates (include certificates for attempts if one repeated exams);
KCSE (or its equivalent) Certificates (include certificates for attempts if one repeated exams);
Diploma/Degree Certificates and official transcripts;
Primary and Secondary Schools leaving certificates;
Evidence of service as a teacher intern (where applicable);
Sworn Affidavit where names in the submitted documents differ.

NB: Provisional transcript(s) shall not be accepted.

(b)The selection panel shall vet each applicant to verify that: –

(i) He/she meets the requirements of the TSC advertisement;
(ii) All submitted original academic and professional certificates, as well as official transcripts are authentic.
(iii) The proof of application for confirmation of results from KNEC has been availed where the certificates are missing.

NB: The onus is on the concerned applicant to follow up with KNEC for the confirmation of results within fourteen (14) days after the interview date.
(iv) Where results have been confirmed, the original statement of confirmation of results MUST be submitted together with Application for Employment Form.

(c) The Secretary, Board of Management shall certify photocopies of the original certificates and confirm to the Sub-County Director that they are true copies of the candidate;s original certificates.
(d) Once the interview process is completed, the results must be communicated to all applicants on the same day. Successful applicant(s) shall be issued with the TSC Application for Employment Form (s).

(e) It is the responsibility of the TSC County Director/Representative to ensure that the: –

(i) Exercise is fair and transparent;
(ii) Successful applicant(s) on the Merit List fill the Application for Employment Form (s).

(g) The completed Application for Employment Form(s) together with other relevant documents should be submitted to the TSC County Director office by the TSC Sub-County Director. The TSC County Director, upon verification and ensuring that all the requirements are met by the successful candidates, will submit the recruitment documents to the TSC Headquarters within the stipulated timelines.

(h) Any applicant(s) who present forged/fake academic, professional and other documents commit(s) an offence; shall be disqualified and considered for deregistration subject to a disciplinary process.

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3.0 SELECTION PANEL

The following members shall comprise the selection panel:

S/N	Pannelist	Responsibility in recruitment panel
1	BOM Chairperson	Chairperson
2	Principal	Secretary
3	Subject teacher/ specialist	Member
4	TSC County Director/ Representative	Member.

(a) Chairperson, Board of Management Chairperson
(b) Head of the Institution Secretary
(c) Subject Specialist Member
(d) TSC County Director/ Representative Member

TOTAL 4

3.1 SELECTION PANEL FOR SCHOOLS WITHOUT BOMs

S/N	Pannelist	Responsibility in recruitment panel
1	TSC County Director/ Representative	Chairperson
2	Principal	Secretary
3	Subject teacher/ specialist	Member
4	PA Chairperson	Member.

(a) TSC County Director/ Representative – Chairperson
(b) Head of the Institution – Secretary
(c) Subject Specialist – Member
(d) PA Chairperson – Member

TOTAL 4

The TSC County Director shall ensure that the Selection Panel is well sensitized to conduct the interview within the COV1D- 19 containment measures as set by the Ministry of Health.

4.0 SELECTION CRITERIA

(a) The Secretary, Board of Management shall present a system generated list received from the County Director of all applicants to the selection panel.
(b) The selection panel shall conduct interviews for those who meet the criteria. The County Director should note any inconsistency (ies), make decision(s) based on the guidelines and advise the applicants /panel and the Commission accordingly.
(c) Applicants shall present themselves in person to the selection panel. The panel shall score each applicant based on the selection score guide.

NB. An applicant whose special need is related to hearing and/or speech shall be allowed to be accompanied by a sign language interpreter.

5.0 QUALIFICATIONS

1. Graduate Teachers

Applicants must have a minimum mean grade of C+ (plus) at KCSE and C+ (plus) in each of the two teaching subjects or two (2) Principles and one (1) Subsidiary pass at College in addition, they must have:

(a) A Bachelor of Education Degree with two (2) teaching subjects.
(b) A Bachelor of Science or Arts Degree plus a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) with two teaching subjects.
(c) Bachelor of Science with Education/Bachelor of Arts with Education with two teaching subjects.

NB:
i) Bachelor of Education holders with Mean Grade of C (Plain) and C (Plain) in the two teaching subjects at KCSE and have undertaken a Diploma in Education or gone through the A-Level system in the relevant area(s) are eligible.
ii) Bridging/Pre-university certificates for those who completed the course before December 31st 2015 may be considered.

2. Diploma Teachers

Applicants must have a minimum Mean Grade of C+ (Plus) at KCSE or its equivalent with at least C+ (Plus) (or Credit pass) in the two teaching subjects or one (1) Principle and two (2) Subsidiaries at college Level.

In addition, they must have: a Diploma in Education from a recognized Teacher Training Institution.

NB:

a) Diploma Teachers who graduated in 2008 or before with a Mean Grade of C (Plain) and C (Plain) in the two teaching subjects are eligible;
b) Hearing and Visually impaired teachers who enrolled for training with Mean Grade of C (Plain) and C (Plain) in the two teaching subjects are eligible.

3. Technical Teachers

Applicants must have minimum Mean Grade of C+ (Plus) at KCSE or its equivalent with at least C+ (Plus) (or Credit Pass) in the two teaching subjects or one (1) Principle and two (2) Subsidiaries at `A;-Level. In addition, they must have:

(a) Bachelor of Education Technology (Bed TECH); OR
(b) (i) Bachelor of Science (BSc) in any relevant technical Subject (s) /Course; or
(ii) Higher Diploma in a technical course; or (iii) A Diploma in a technical course.

Further, applicants under category (b) above MUST possess a Diploma in Technical Teacher Education from Kenya Technical Teachers College (KTTC) or a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) from a recognized University.

NB:
1) Applicants whose training is in subjects that are currently not in the Curriculum do not qualify, irrespective of their having undertaken a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) and/or enhancement. This category includes but not limited to Bachelor of Science /Bachelor of Arts in:

Natural Resources
Meteorology
Forestry
Animal Husbandry
Horticulture
Farm Machinery
Fisheries
Anthropology
sociology
Theology/Divinity
Journalism etc.

2) Applicants with Economics/Commerce/Accounting can apply for Business Studies and those with Social Education and Ethics (SEE) for CRE/IRE vacancies.

3) Diploma Teachers with English/other subjects qualify for employment as English/Literature teachers

4) All applicants must have studied the two teaching subjects at KCSE except for Agriculture, Business Studies, Home Science, and Computer. For those who did not study Business Studies and Computer, one should have attained a minimum of C+ (Plus) in Mathematics in KCSE. For those who did not study Agriculture and Home Science, one should have attained a minimum of C+ in Biology at KCSE.

5) Graduate Teachers should have studied ❑ minimum of eight (8) course units in each teaching subject.

6) Applicants presenting enhancement certificate(s)/official transcripts in teaching subject(s) from recognized institution(s) qualify for employment if they scored at least a C+ (Plus) in the enhanced subject at KCSE.

7) Applicants previously employed under contract and whose services were terminated due to inadequate units in teaching subjects and have since obtained enhancement certificates with adequate units are eligible to apply.

8) Applicants applying for computer studies MUST have taken teaching methods course in the subject.

9) For applicants trained in Special Needs Education, Kenya Sign Language (KSL) or Braille are considered as teaching subjects e.g. Biology/KSL and Geography/Braille.

6.0 VALIDATION OF DOCUMENTS BY THE TSC COUNTY DIRECTOR

The TSC County Directors should: –

Ensure that the Application for Employment Forms have all the attachments required;
Vet the recruitment documents to verify that the applicant(s) recruited qualify for employment as per the provisions of the recruitment guidelines;
Ensure that all documents are duly signed as required; including the score sheets, Minutes of the Selection Panels and Section C of the Application for Employment form confirming that the candidate qualifies/merits to be employed;
Compile complaints received and submit appropriate action taken or recommendations to the Commission.

7.0 DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE TSC HEADQUARTERS

The TSC County Director is required to hand over the following documents to the TSC Headquarters:

(a) Duly filled Application for Employment Form(s) together with a copy of the acknowledgement of receipt of application for employment, certified copies of Certificate of Registration as a teacher, academic certificates, professional certificates and all official transcripts, identity card, NCPWD Card (where applicable), Affidavits (where applicable), evidence of service as an intern (where applicable) and two passport size photographs in respect of successful candidate(s);

(b) A list of all interviewed applicants in order of merit for the advertised vacancies in (Appendix (III a),

(c) A copy of the system generate list of all applicants clearly showing those who failed to attend the interview (Appendix III b);
(d) List of applicants with special needs (Appendix VI).
(e) Duly signed Minutes of the Board of Management Meeting;
(f) A commitment letter duly signed by the applicant binding him/her to teach in the station for a minimum period of five (5) years, and three (3) years in the case of North Eastern Region;
(g) Completed selection score guide duly signed;
(h) Copy of teacher registration certificate;
(i) Certified copy of a bank plate;
Duly completed pay point particulars form;
(k) Copy of KRA PIN certificate;
(I) Copy of NHIF Card;

8.0 COMPLAINTS

a) Any applicant who is dissatisfied with the process should submit to the TSC County Director a written complaint immediately and send an email to the TSC Headquarters through, dirtm@tsc.go.ke not later than seven (7) days after the selection process;

b) The TSC County Director should within seven (7) days analyze and address all complaints raised after the selection process has been completed and thereafter inform the Headquarters on the action taken;

c) Where the complaint is levelled against the TSC County Director, the TSC Headquarters shall investigate the allegations and take appropriate action.

9.0 IMPORTANT NOTES

(a) Under no circumstances should the Application for Employment Form(s) be defaced or photocopied for use.
(b) Clarification and advice on issues of qualifications arising from these guidelines, should be sought from the TSC County Directors.
(c) Notwithstanding the decentralization of the function of teacher’s recruitment pursuant to Section 20 of the TSC Act, the Commission is not precluded in carrying out recruitment directly from the TSC Headquarters.

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