The Teachers Service Commission is hiring 8,672 teachers to support a new Government policy to have all primary school leavers enrolled into secondary schools.

The new teachers are supposed to plug a severe staffing shortage in public secondary and primary schools — estimated to be 155,000, said chief executive Nancy Macharia on Wednesday.

A total of 7,672 of the new staffers will be appointed in secondary schools while 1,000 will be posted in primary.

The commission had asked the government for Sh8.3 billion to recruit 12,626 secondary teachers annually for four years, translating to 50,504 teachers to support the transition.

But the Government only gave Sh4.7 billion, according to this year’s budget policy statement.

TSC yesterday told those interested in the positions to apply by May 25, adding:  “Those who had applied earlier and were unsuccessful must apply afresh since the merit list for 2018/2019 financial year will be generated. Successful candidates will be deployed to serve in any part of the country.”

ORIGINAL CERTIFICATES

“Eligible candidates must be Kenyan citizens, 45 years old or below, must have original professional and academic certificates and must be registered as teachers.”

Applicants for posts in primary schools must have a P1 certificate, while those seeking jobs in primary institutions must have a minimum of a diploma in education.

“Interested candidates should apply to the secretary, board of management of the school or institution where the vacancy has been advertised and submit a copy to the TSC county director.”

In primary schools, Mandera County has been allocated 118 teachers, Garissa 104, while Wajir, which was recently hit by a wave of transfers following terrorist attacks will get 30. The remaining 44 counties will get 17 each.

In secondary schools, Garissa has been allocated 163, Wajir 50 teachers and Mandera 70 .