TSC Guidelines for Recruitment of Teachers in Post-Primary Institutions
TSC has released comprehensive guidelines for the recruitment of post primary teachers for the 2023/2024 financial year.
These guidelines are aimed at fostering transparency, accountability, and adherence to standards during the selection process.
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General Information
The recruitment process begins with the advertisement of teaching vacancies, following which Regional Directors, County Directors, and Sub-County Directors take on the responsibility of conducting the selection exercise.
Applicants are required to submit their applications through the TSC’s online platform, www.teachersonline.go.ke, for the institution or county where the vacancy exists.
During this process, applicants must upload copies of their professional and academic certificates, along with any other relevant documents.
According to the Public Officer Ethics Act and the TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics, accountability and transparency are essential during the selection process.
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To ensure a smooth start, TSC Regional Directors are tasked with inducting County Directors, who, in turn, are responsible for training Selection Panel members on the relevant sections of the Act and the Code of Regulations for Teachers.
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, strict adherence to Ministry of Health protocols is mandatory throughout the recruitment process.
Furthermore, TSC Sub-County Directors, in collaboration with County Directors, must ensure that selection venues are accessible to applicants with disabilities.
Applicants must hold valid registration as teachers per Section 23(1) of the Teachers Service Commission Act, 2012. Any disparities in the names on academic and professional certificates must be explained through an Affidavit.
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Applicants who re-sat KCPE or KCSE exams or their equivalents are required to present certified copies of these certificates, with certification by Sub-County Directors.
Verification and Interview
Upon generating the Applicants’ List, the TSC County Director shares it with Sub-County Directors, who then convene Sub-County Selection Panels.
These panels are responsible for verifying applicants’ professional, academic, and relevant documents before shortlisting up to five candidates per advertised post.
Once the shortlisting process is complete, applicants are invited for interviews.
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During this stage, they are required to present original documents along with photocopies, including their national identification cards, teaching registration certificates, diploma/degree certificates, KCSE and KCPE certificates, school leaving certificates, and more.
Ensuring Inclusivity
The Commission is committed to inclusivity, with 5% of all advertised positions reserved for the recruitment of teachers with disabilities, aligning with constitutional provisions.
Selection Criteria
In cases where applicants tie in scores, priority is given based on the length of stay since graduation and the strength of academic and professional certificates presented.
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Merit Lists and Subsequent Recruitment
Applicants’ names are ranked based on their performance in the selection process. Sub-County Merit Lists are developed during the interview stage, serving as a resource for future recruitment within the Sub-County.
County Directors compile County Merit Lists, which are used to recruit teachers within the county for the financial year.
The Regional Director, in turn, compiles Regional Merit Lists for regional recruitment. The data bank of interviewed candidates is also used to replace those leaving service during the same financial year.
In cases of exhaustion of candidates in specific data banks, the recruitment process extends to regional and national levels.
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Authentication of Academic, Professional, and Related Documents
The verification of documents is a crucial step in ensuring that the recruitment process maintains the highest standards of integrity and authenticity.
Applicants are required to present original documents along with legible photocopies of the following:
- National identification card
- Certificate of Registration as a teacher
- Diploma/Degree certificate and accompanying transcripts
- KCSE certificates or their equivalents (including certificates for attempts if applicable)
- KCPE certificate or its equivalent (including certificates for attempts if applicable)
- Letter of certification of results by KNEC (where applicable)
- Primary and Secondary School leaving certificates and other relevant testimonials
- National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) Card (where applicable)
- An Affidavit sworn under the Oaths and Statutory Declarations Act, Cap 15 of the Laws of Kenya, to explain any variance in names.
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Provisional transcripts are not accepted. The selection panel’s responsibilities in this stage include:
- Verifying that the applicant meets the requirements outlined in the TSC advertisement.
- Confirming the authenticity of all submitted original academic and professional certificates, as well as official transcripts.
It’s important to note that any applicant presenting forged or fake academic, professional, or other documents will be disqualified and may face deregistration.
The TSC Sub-County Director plays a crucial role in this process by certifying photocopies of the certificates and confirming that they are true copies of the applicant’s original academic and professional certificates before the interview.
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After completing the interview process, the selection panel compiles a vacancy-specific Merit List based on the interview results and communicates it to all applicants.
Ensuring Fairness and Transparency
The responsibility for ensuring fairness and transparency in the recruitment process lies with the TSC County Director and the TSC Sub-County Directors. They are tasked with:
- Satisfactorily sensitizing the Selection Panels on the recruitment process.
- Conducting interviews as stipulated in the guidelines and any other applicable circulars.
- Ensuring that only successful applicants from the Merit List are employed.
Successful applicants from the Merit List are issued with Application for Employment forms to fill.
The TSC Sub-County Director then submits all pertinent recruitment documents to the TSC County Director’s office.
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The TSC County Directors call a meeting of the County Selection Panel, which conducts document verification to make sure that the successful applicants have met all requirements.
After completing this verification process, the successful candidates receive duly signed Offer of Employment Letters.
Applicants must submit all necessary recruitment documents, including these Offer of Employment Letters, to the TSC Headquarters within the stipulated timelines, following the approved checklist.
This procedure makes sure that only the most qualified people will be in charge of educating Kenya’s future generations.
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Selection Panels: Ensuring Fair Evaluation of Teachers
The success of teacher recruitment hinges on the diligent work of Selection Panels.
These panels play a pivotal role in evaluating candidates, and their composition depends on the type of institution.
Here, we delve into the structure of Selection Panels for different categories of schools and the criteria they employ.
For Institutions with Boards of Management (BOMs)
Institutions with BOMs have their Selection Panel composed as follows:
- Chairperson, Board of Management – Chairperson
- Head of the Institution – Secretary
- Subject Specialist – Member
- Parent Association (PA) Chairperson – Member
- TSC County Director/ Representative – Member
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This composition ensures a balanced evaluation process that takes into account the perspectives of various stakeholders, including the institution’s leadership, subject expertise, and parent representation.
For Schools without BOMs
In schools without BOMs, the structure of the panel is as follows:
- TSC County Director/ Representative/Chairperson
- Head of the Institution: Secretary
- Subject Specialist: Member
- PA Chairperson: Member
- PA Member – Member
This panel maintains a focus on objectivity and fairness, even in the absence of a Board of Management.
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Selection Panel for Junior Secondary Schools
Junior Secondary Schools have a slightly different panel configuration:
- TSC Sub County Director – Chairperson
- TSC Sub County Human Resource Officer – Secretary
- Curriculum Support Officer/Subject Specialist – Member
This streamlined panel ensures a consistent and systematic evaluation process in these schools.
Adherence to Health Protocols
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic necessitates that all Selection Panels strictly adhere to the Ministry of Health’s containment measures or any other relevant guidelines issued. The health and safety of panel members and applicants remain a top priority.
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Selection Criteria
The TSC Sub-County Director plays a crucial role by providing the Selection Panel with a comprehensive list of all applicants, as received from the TSC County Director.
During the interview phase, the panel assesses only those applicants who meet the established criteria, while the TSC Sub-County Director ensures adherence to the guidelines and promptly identifies and addresses any inconsistencies.
Scoring Process
Applicants appear in person before the Selection Panel, which employs a scoring system based on the selection score guide (refer to Appendices 1 (a) or 1 (b)). This ensures a fair and standardized evaluation process.
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Inclusivity for Applicants with Disabilities
A sign language interpreter will accompany applicants with disabilities related to hearing and/or speech to facilitate effective communication during the evaluation process.
These Selection Panels play a crucial role in the teacher recruitment process, ensuring that they choose qualified candidates fairly and equitably to join the ranks of educators in Kenya’s education system.
TSC Guidelines for Recruitment of Teachers in Post-Primary Institutions
Conclusion
The 2023/2024 teacher recruitment guidelines set forth by the Teachers Service Commission prioritize transparency, accountability, and fairness in the selection process.
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By following these guidelines, TSC aims to ensure that it entrusts the critical task of educating Kenya’s youth to only the most qualified and deserving candidates.
These guidelines are a testament to the commitment of TSC to delivering quality education to the nation.
TSC Guidelines for Recruitment of Teachers in Post-Primary Institutions
