TSC Opens Applications for 20,000 Permanent Junior School Teaching Jobs

NAIROBI, Kenya – The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has opened applications for 20,000 permanent and pensionable (P&P) teaching positions in Junior Schools. The recruitment aims to strengthen the implementation of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum.

The commission will accept online applications from Tuesday, August 18, 2026, until midnight on Monday, August 31, 2026. However, TSC will not accept manual applications.

Government Sets Aside Sh13.1 Billion

The recruitment follows the 2026/27 National Budget, which allocated Sh13.1 billion to employ more teachers on permanent terms.

According to Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, the government has allocated Sh4.9 billion to convert 20,000 intern teachers to permanent terms from January 2027.

In addition, the Treasury set aside Sh8.2 billion to convert another 24,000 newly recruited intern teachers from July 2027.

As a result, the exercise will raise the number of teachers employed since 2022 to 116,000.

However, TSC has not confirmed whether the advertised 20,000 positions form part of the planned conversions or represent a separate recruitment exercise.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must:

• Be Kenyan citizens.
• Hold at least a Diploma in Education.
• Have a minimum KCSE mean grade of C+ (Plus).
• Have at least C+ (Plus) in two teaching subjects.
• Hold valid TSC registration.
• Be unemployed.
• Have no record of leaving the teaching service on disciplinary grounds.

Additionally, applicants using equivalent qualifications should check the TSC website for further guidance.

Furthermore, successful applicants must present their original academic and professional certificates during verification.

Recruitment Will Be Merit-Based

TSC will recruit teachers under its 2026/2027 Guidelines for Recruitment of Post Primary Teachers.

Specifically, the commission will base selection on merit and the number of vacancies available in each county and sub-county.

Therefore, applicants should submit only one application because multiple applications may lead to disqualification.

Afterwards, successful teachers will remain in their current sub-counties or work stations. They will teach learning areas under the Junior School curriculum.

Meanwhile, applicants can find county and sub-county vacancies on the TSC website.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit their forms through the Careers section of the TSC website or the Teachers Online portal.

The application window opens on August 18 and closes at midnight on August 31, 2026.

Importantly, TSC stressed that the recruitment process is free of charge.

At the same time, the commission warned applicants against fraudsters who demand money in exchange for jobs.

Consequently, TSC urged anyone who encounters fraud to report the matter to the nearest TSC office, police station or the commission’s headquarters.

In addition, the commission encouraged Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to apply.

Recruitment Comes Amid Court Battle

Meanwhile, the recruitment comes as TSC continues to fight court cases over its internship programme.

In April 2024, the Employment and Labour Relations Court ruled that TSC violated the rights of qualified teachers by employing them as interns instead of permanent staff.

The court also found that the internship programme exposed qualified teachers to unfair labour practices and discriminatory employment terms.

Later, the Court of Appeal upheld that ruling in February 2026. As a result, pressure mounted on the government to employ about 44,000 intern teachers permanently.

However, TSC appealed the decision to the Supreme Court.

Subsequently, on April 30, 2026, the Supreme Court suspended the Court of Appeal ruling until it hears and determines the case.

For now, that order allows the internship programme to continue while the legal dispute proceeds.