Massive queues have been witnessed across the country’s sub-counties as TSC proceeds with documents verification for teachers shortlisted for 20,000 junior secondary school (JSS) internship jobs.
The mammoth turnout paints a grim picture of unemployment crisis in the country. In some sub-counties the turnout exceeded the number shortlisted for the exercise indication of dire situation.
Though TSC only requires 20,000 teachers to fill the advertised slots, more than two hundred thousand teachers applied and were shortlisted.
The TSC Sub County Directors are having a rough time to verify the documents for the teachers including those who attended without shortlisting.
This is not the first time TSC is met with such a crisis. Recently TSC advertised 46,000 permanent and pensionable teaching jobs that saw over 400,000 teachers applying and got shortlisted.
These are indicators that the teaching service is flooded with teachers many lacking formal employment.
There are around 150,000 primary school teachers who completed and were awarded the Primary Teacher Education (PTE) and the Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE) certificates but lack employment.
Some however work in the private sector where salaries and working conditions are not conducive.
On recruitment of the 20,000 intern teachers TSC has issued condition for applicants who applied and were shortlisted.
During the verification exercise in the sub counties the applicants are required to produce the following document’s: –
- A copy of Teacher Registration Certificate/print-out from TSC online portal as evidence of registration as a teacher;
- A copy of National Council for Persons with Disability (NCPWD) card (where applicable);
- A copy of the National Identity Card (ID) or Passport;
- Two (2) colour passport size photographs;
- A copy of National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) card;
- A copy of Kenya Revenue Authority Personal Identification Number (KRA PIN).
After verifying documents for the applicants, TSC will then require the successful ones to sign a one year internship agreement before posting them to various schools in early January.
TSC has already announced retooling of all the JSS teachers which will be done at sub county level from 2nd to 5th December, 2024.
The teachers will be trained on the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) and Competency Based Assessments (CBA).
The Teacher Internship Programme is a one (1) year programme meant to equip and sustain competencies of persons entering the teaching service.
The programme targets unemployed registered teachers to be assigned to learning institutions where their teaching experience will be enhanced through mentorship, coaching and exposure to practical teaching experience.
The internship period will be for twelve months though majority of the current intern teachers have served for two years.
Teacher internship is not a remunerative engagement. However, interns attached to Junior Secondary schools will be eligible for a monthly stipend of Kshs. 20 ,000/=.
The stipend will be paid subject to statutory deductions like NHIF, Housing levy, and NSSF where applicable.
On successful completion of the Internship Programme, teacher interns will be awarded a certificate.
In this years scoresheet for recruitment of 46,000 teachers on permanent and pensionable terms, TSC awarded 50 marks to teachers who served on internship terms thus making conversion to pnp for those who served on internship automatic.