The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has once again found itself in the crosshairs of legislators over its recruitment policies. 

The issue of allocation of slots to sub-counties for the recruitment of teachers has long been a burdensome issue for both teachers seeking to join the public service and Members of Parliament seeking more teachers for schools in their constituencies.

Tharaka MP George Murugara raised the issue once again, posing the question before the National Assembly. 

In the statement read before the house on Wednesday, February 26, the MP called out what he termed as the unfair allocation process that has seen certain areas of the country left disadvantaged in the ongoing recruitment exercise being carried out by the TSC.

Tharaka MP George Murugara at a past National Assembly Committee hearing in Parliament.

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NA

In December 2024, TSC announced a recruitment of 8,707 teachers on permanent and pensionable terms. 

TSC announced 5,862 vacancies in primary schools, 21 posts in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), and 2,824 vacancies in secondary schools.

“Can the Commission also elaborate on the criterion used to allocate Tharaka North Sub-County and Tharaka South Sub-County seven (7) and forty-two (42) slots, respectively, despite the two (2) Sub-Counties being within Tharaka Constituency?" asked Murugara.

Murugara expressed his concerns regarding the actions of the teachers' body, calling attention to what he described as 'unfair, discriminatory, and illegal conduct' by the Commission. 

He is seeking clarification on the measures being taken to address the issue of teacher applicants being turned away from the recruitment process nationwide. 

Additionally, he emphasised the need for steps to ensure that these applicants are not excluded from the ongoing recruitment exercise.

During the hearing, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, directed the Departmental Committee on Education to take up the matter. 

When the matter came up in 2023, TSC defended itself, saying it was committed to a transparent and merit-based recruitment process. 

According to TSC, the recruitment process involves rigorous selection criteria that focus on the local residence of the individual in question, cultural background, and stakeholder engagement. 

TSC's allocation of teaching slots is primarily based on the number of Grade 7 classes within each county and sub-county. This approach aims to ensure that each class has at least one teacher, promoting equitable distribution of educational resources.

TSC said that applicants who reside within the sub-county or county are given priority, allowing for quicker integration into the community.

Furthermore, TSC insisted that by selecting local teachers, it aims to strengthen the relationship between schools and the communities they serve, enhancing parental involvement and support for educational initiatives.

From Left: Teachers Service Commission (TSC) boss Nancy Macharia, KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu and KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori.

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TSC Kenya