Kenya’s higher education sector is facing a concerning trend—over 50,000 students who achieved the minimum university entry grade of C+ and above have not been placed in any institution through the KUCCPS system.

According to data shared by the Ministry of Education, 42,000 of these students did not apply for any courses, while another 7,000 were unsuccessful in their applications.

The government is puzzled by the lack of interest in university education among qualified learners, especially at a time when it has made strides in making higher education more affordable. The cost of university courses has recently been reduced by between 15% and 40%, following a major revision in the funding assessment formula.

Dr Julius Ogambo explained that the government is now using a more comprehensive tool to evaluate students’ financial need. The revised model includes variables such as previous school fee payment patterns, land owned by the family, hospital bills, and even use of the Hustler Fund.

While some students snubbed university for TVET and medical training colleges, others applied to highly competitive programs with limited slots. Dr Ogambo noted, “There are 7,640 C+ and above students who chose TVET, and 6,750 who opted for KMTCs and primary TTCs.”

Diploma courses in primary teacher education have seen significant interest, with 20,786 applicants competing for just 13,823 places. Only 11,636 students secured placement in this course. Similarly, the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) programs received overwhelming interest, especially in nursing, which saw 52,725 applicants. Just under half—25,034—were selected.

Other KMTC programs drawing large numbers include Clinical Medicine, Community Health, and Emergency Medical Technician training.

To address this placement gap, the KUCCPS portal remains open to allow more students to apply. Additionally, students can now access the Higher Education Fund portal to apply for financial support.

Dr Ogambo reiterated the government’s commitment to equity in education: “We are ensuring that all learners, regardless of background, have an opportunity to pursue their academic dreams. The new funding model is designed to reflect true household financial realities.”

As admission letters are being dispatched, the Ministry urges all eligible students to take advantage of the placement and funding opportunities still available.

Despite meeting the minimum university entry grade, over 50,000 students have not secured placements in higher education institutions through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).

According to recent data released by the Ministry of Education, more than 42,000 eligible students opted not to submit applications via the KUCCPS portal, while 7,000 applied but were not successfully placed.

Education officials have raised concern over this growing trend, especially as the government works to reduce the financial burden on learners. The ministry recently announced a major policy shift that has led to a 40% decrease in the cost of university education, following a revision of the means testing criteria used to assess financial need.

Dr Julius Ogambo, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Education, revealed that a portion of those who qualified for university entry chose alternative education pathways. “A total of 7,640 students with a C+ and above opted to join Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. Another 6,750 chose Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) and primary teacher training colleges,” he said.

While top courses such as engineering and medicine continue to attract high interest, emerging preferences are also being noticed. Diploma programs in primary teacher education, for instance, recorded 20,786 applications for only 13,823 available slots. Ultimately, 11,636 students were placed in these teaching courses.

KMTC programs remain highly competitive, especially nursing, which received 52,725 applications—yet only 25,034 students were selected. Other sought-after programs include Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Emergency Medical Technician training, and Community Health.

The KUCCPS portal remains accessible for students who haven’t yet submitted their applications. In parallel, the Higher Education Fund portal is open for learners seeking government financial aid.

To make university education more equitable, the government has revamped the way it evaluates a student’s financial background. The new model takes into account factors such as previous school fee payment history, household land ownership, medical expenses, and even Hustler Fund applications.

Dr Ogambo emphasized that the government’s goal is to match students’ actual financial situations more accurately to ensure that education remains inclusive and accessible to all.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC), established under Article 237 of the Kenyan Constitution and the TSC Act 2012, oversees the registration, recruitment, deployment, and discipline of teachers.

1. TSC Registration is Mandatory

All teaching candidates must be registered with the TSC before applying for employment. This is a legal requirement for anyone wishing to teach in either public or private institutions .
Key steps include:

Online application via the TSC portal (through E‑Citizen)

Scanned uploads of: academic and professional certificates, a national ID or passport, KRA PIN, GP69 med form, bank slip, passport photo, certificate of good conduct, and for non‑Kenyans, valid work/entry permits

Payment of a non‑refundable registration fee (~KSh 1,050)
Once approved, the applicant receives a TSC number and certificate within 30 days

2. Academic & Professional Qualifications

TSC categorizes teacher qualifications as follows (institutiontoday.com):

• Primary (P1 certificate): For basic level teaching – must have PTE certificate and KCSE minimum grade (varies)
• Diploma teachers: Mean grade of C+ at KCSE; must hold a recognized Diploma in Education (graduates before 2008 with C plain are eligible)
• Graduate teachers: KCSE grade C+ with C+ in the two teaching subjects (or A‑level equivalents); Bachelor of Education or BA/BSc with a Post‑Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)
• Technical/TVET teachers: Must have relevant technical diplomas or degrees plus teaching qualification (Bed Tech, KTTC diploma, PGDE)

3. Age & Citizenship Requirements

• Kenyan citizenship is mandatory
• Applicants must be aged 45 years or younger

4. Recruitment Process

Once registered and qualified:

• TSC advertises vacancies via the official portal (teachersonline.go.ke)
• Only registered teachers may apply
• Shortlisting uses a merit-based score sheet evaluating academic credentials, teaching practice, experience, and compliance with constitutional Chapter Six (clearance from KRA, HELB, EACC, CRB)
• Interviews are conducted by county and TSC panels.
• Applicants must pass background checks (criminal clearances) and medical exams
• Selected candidates receive appointment letters and are expected to accept within the stipulated period

5. Document Submission & Verification

At the county level, directors vet original documents: ID, certificates, TSC registration, bank slip, KRA PIN, NHIF, professional certificates, and transcripts.

Successful applicants must also sign a service commitment (5 years, 3 years for North-Eastern region)

In summary, employment with TSC requires:

1. Valid TSC registration with a certificate and number
2. Appropriate academic/professional qualifications per position
3. Kenyan citizenship and age ≤ 45
4. Successful completion of application, vetting, interviews, and clearances
5. Compliance with legal and administrative protocols during recruitment

This structured, merit-based process ensures quality, integrity, and transparency in teacher hiring across Kenya.

When a teacher transitions from internship to a permanent and pensionable contract under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), their earnings notably increase. Here’s a breakdown of what newly hired teachers typically bring home each month—and why it matters.

1. Basic Salary by Qualification & Grade

Secondary school teachers with a Bachelor’s degree enter at Job Group C2 (formerly K), earning a base salary of KSh 34,955 per month

Diploma holders in education are assigned to C2 as well, but often earn slightly lower within the range (KSh 27,195–KSh 34,955)

Primary school teachers with a P1 certificate enter at Job Group B5 (Role B5, formerly G), with a base salary of KSh 21,756 per month

For simplicity, this article will focus on the standard graduate (Bachelor’s) pathway at C2.

2. Allowances: The Salary Boosters

New teachers are also eligible for a range of allowances that can significantly increase their gross monthly earnings:

Commuter allowance: Typically KSh 5,000 per month

Housing allowance varies depending on location:

KSh 16,500 for Nairobi-based teachers

KSh 12,800 in major municipalities

KSh 9,600 in minor municipalities

KSh 7,500 in rural or other areas

Hardship allowance (if posted in hardship zone): about KSh 10,900

Annual leave allowance: KSh 6,000 paid once per year (typically in January)

Example Monthly Structure (C2 Teacher in Rural Area)

If hardship allowance applies, gross earnings approach KSh 69,000+ before deductions.

3. Deductions: Net Income Factors

From the gross amount above, standard statutory and voluntary deductions apply, including:

• PAYE (Income Tax)
• NHIF (Health insurance)
• NSSF (Pension)
• HELB loan repayments (if applicable)
• Union/Sacco contributions

According to payslip breakdowns, a C2 graduate may take home roughly KSh 38,000 net after deductions, assuming no HELB loan. With full HELB deductions, take-home pay could fall to around KSh 34,000–36,000.

4. From Internship to Permanent Status: A Pay Rise

Intern teachers earn far less: Primary interns get KSh 15,000 monthly (Ksh 14,000 after deductions), while secondary interns receive KSh 20,000 (Ksh 19,050 after deductions)

With permanency, their gross monthly income more than doubles, and net income nearly triples .

A newly confirmed permanent secondary teacher may move from taking home Ksh 19,000 as an intern to Ksh 47, 000 gross / 38, 000 net, marking a life-changing increase

5. What This Means for New Teachers

Living Standards
– With net income between KSh 35,000–Ksh 38,000, fresh teachers can cover basic expenses, rent, and begin savings.

Geography Matters
– Location plays a big role. Urban postings bring better housing allowances, but rural hardship perks can be even more lucrative.

Long-Term Progression
– After 3 years, promotion to C3 increases base salary (Ksh 43, 000–Ksh54,000) alongside allowances.

Pension & Security
– Permanent status delivers job stability, pension contributions, employer-backed benefits, and long-term career growth.

A new graduate teacher (C2) earns:
– Gross: KSh 47K (urban) to KSh 58, 000–Ksh 69,000 (with hardship/rural bonuses)
– Net: Approximately KSh 35, 000–38,000, subject to individual deductions.

Transitioning from internship to a permanent contract is transformative, more than tripling take-home pay.

Early career earnings can potentially support a modest urban lifestyle, foster financial independence, and lay the groundwork for future progression.

This salary structure underscores both the benefits and challenges of a teaching career in Kenya. While permanent positions offer a stable income and growth trajectory, the actual amount net of deductions and relative to living costs shapes the real-life experience of new educators.

In Kenya, thousands of graduate teachers take up internship roles each year under the Teacher Internship Programme initiated by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). This programme provides fresh teacher graduates with an opportunity to gain practical classroom experience while awaiting permanent and pensionable employment.

However, while the internship serves as an entry point into the teaching profession, the monthly earnings of these intern teachers vary depending on the level they are assigned to — Primary, Junior Secondary (JSS), or Senior Secondary schools.

For Primary School Intern Teachers, the monthly stipend is currently set at Kshs 15,000. This amount is subject to statutory deductions such as the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), which slightly reduces the net amount the intern receives. These deductions usually bring the take-home pay to approximately Kshs 13,000.

Intern teachers in Junior Secondary Schools, who are expected to have higher academic qualifications such as a Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Education, are paid a slightly higher stipend. Their gross monthly pay stands at Kshs 20,000. After statutory deductions, they typically take home around Kshs 17,000 to Kshs 18,000.

As for those posted to Senior Secondary Schools, the stipend remains similar to that of Junior Secondary teachers — also pegged at Kshs 20,000. This parity is because both JSS and Senior Secondary levels require teachers with specialized subject knowledge and higher professional training.

Despite teaching more advanced content and possibly handling larger workloads, Senior Secondary interns still earn the same as their JSS counterparts under the current guidelines.

These internship stipends are not considered salaries but rather a token or allowance meant to support the interns during their one-year engagement. Interns are not entitled to other employment benefits such as housing, commuter, or hardship allowances, which permanent teachers receive.

However, the experience gained during this period is vital for career progression and often increases the chances of future absorption on permanent and pensionable terms.

In conclusion, while intern teachers play a vital role in Kenya’s education system — especially with the ongoing implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) — their remuneration remains modest.

The TSC has continued to advocate for increased funding to enhance intern pay and improve the programme. As the demand for qualified teachers rises, there are ongoing calls from teacher unions and stakeholders to review and improve the welfare of intern teachers across all levels.