The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has unveiled fresh guidelines for the recruitment of teacher interns for junior schools in the 2025/2026 financial year. The recruitment, which comes at a time when the education sector is grappling with teacher shortages, aims to provide opportunities for qualified teachers to gain experience while serving in schools. According to the circular, all applicants must apply online through the TSC portal at teachersonline.go.ke where vacancies have been declared.
TSC has emphasized transparency and accountability in the selection exercise, directing Sub-County Directors to ensure that all interview venues are accessible, including to persons with disabilities. The Commission further stated that all applicants must be registered teachers as per Section 23(1) of the TSC Act 2012. Those without registration will not be considered.
Applicants will be required to present their original documents during verification, including national ID, KCPE, KCSE, diploma/degree certificates, transcripts, and professional registration documents. Notably, TSC has reserved at least 5% of the slots for teachers with disabilities, in line with the Constitution.
The recruitment will prioritize teachers trained in science subjects, followed by those in mathematics, technical subjects, languages, and humanities. In the event of a tie, consideration will be given based on length of stay since graduation and the strength of academic and professional certificates.
The new guidelines also recognize teachers who have previously served under the internship program or were employed on permanent and pensionable terms but exited service on non-disciplinary grounds. With thousands of slots on offer, this internship program is expected to open doors for young educators while easing the pressure of understaffing in schools.
