Requirements to Teach in Kenya: TSC’s Employment Guidelines

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.