Recruitment of teachers by TSC questioned as MP criticizes distribution of slots

Recruitment of teachers by TSC questioned as MP criticizes distribution of slots

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is once again under scrutiny from lawmakers regarding its hiring practices.

The distribution of teacher positions to sub-counties for recruitment has been a longstanding challenge for both aspiring teachers wanting to enter public service and Members of Parliament advocating for more educators in their districts.

Tharaka MP George Murugara brought this issue to the forefront in the National Assembly.

In a statement delivered to the house on February 26, the MP criticized what he described as an inequitable allocation process, which has left some regions at a disadvantage in the current recruitment efforts by the TSC.

In December 2024, the TSC announced plans to recruit 8,707 teachers on permanent and pensionable contracts, including 5,862 positions in primary schools, 21 in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), and 2,824 in secondary schools.

“Can the Commission explain the criteria used to assign seven (7) slots to Tharaka North Sub-County and forty-two (42) slots to Tharaka South Sub-County, given that both are part of Tharaka Constituency?” Murugara questioned.

He voiced his concerns about the TSC’s actions, labeling them as ‘unfair, discriminatory, and illegal.’

Murugara is seeking clarification on the steps being taken to address the issue of teacher applicants being rejected from the recruitment process across the country.

He also stressed the importance of ensuring that these applicants are not excluded from the ongoing recruitment efforts.

During the session, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula instructed the Departmental Committee on Education to investigate the matter.

When this issue arose in 2023, the TSC defended its practices, asserting its commitment to a transparent and merit-based recruitment process.

The TSC explained that its recruitment strategy includes strict selection criteria that consider the applicant’s local residency, cultural background, and involvement of stakeholders.

The allocation of teaching positions is mainly determined by the number of Grade 7 classes in each county and sub-county, aiming to ensure that every class has at least one teacher, thereby promoting fair distribution of educational resources.

The TSC also stated that applicants residing within the sub-county or county are prioritized to facilitate their integration into the community.

Additionally, TSC emphasized that choosing local teachers is intended to bolster the connection between schools and their communities, thereby increasing parental engagement and support for educational programs.