The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has said its next recruitment exercise will begin in November 2026. As of 3 November, it has not published an advert with an exact date, a vacancy list or an application deadline. Reports based on TSC’s budget plans point to about 16,000 intern teachers for 2027 and more than 5,000 replacement posts. Other figures now circulating are not backed by an official notice.
What TSC has said so far
- Interns: about 16,000 teachers on one-year internship contracts running from 1 January to 31 December 2027, for junior and senior schools.
- Replacements: more than 5,000 teachers to replace those expected to leave through natural attrition by the end of 2026. TSC is reportedly seeking Sh1.5 billion for this.
- Timing: “November”, with no exact date given.
- Primary schools: reports say mass recruitment has been suspended and TSC will only replace teachers who leave.
These details come from news reports of TSC’s plans, not from a published advert. Treat the numbers as plans until the notice appears.
Where the other exercises stand
| Exercise | Status |
|---|---|
| 20,000 permanent and pensionable junior school posts | Applications ran 18–31 August 2026 and have closed |
| 34,016 promotion vacancies | Applications closed 10 August 2026 |
| About 16,000 new interns | Planned, expected from November |
| 5,000+ replacement posts | Planned, expected from November |
Treasury has set aside Sh13.1 billion in the 2026/27 budget to move interns to permanent terms. Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi spoke of converting 44,000 interns. The Star noted that TSC has not said whether the advertised 20,000 posts are the same interns earmarked for conversion.
Figures to treat with caution
The 12,632 replacement posts. On 30 June 2026, TSC dismissed an advert claiming 12,632 permanent vacancies as fake. The same number is now appearing in unofficial previews of the November exercise, with a split by school level. We could not find it in any TSC notice.
A 23 November start. No official source gives this date. Until TSC publishes one, do not plan around it.
Social media adverts. TSC has also flagged fake adverts for 20,000 permanent teachers (April) and 24,000 junior school interns (July). Recruitment is free, and manual applications are not accepted.
What the 2026 adverts required
The latest TSC advert required applicants to be unemployed with no record of leaving TSC service on disciplinary grounds. It applied the Guidelines for Recruitment of Post-Primary Teachers for 2026/2027. The November adverts will state their own requirements, subject combinations and grades, so read each one fully.
How to prepare now
- Confirm your TSC registration details and that your online account works.
- Gather your ID, academic and professional certificates, and any upgraded qualifications.
- Make sure your names match on every document. Fix mismatches before the window opens.
- Check your subject combination against what junior and senior schools need.
- Follow TSC’s official website and verified channels only. Never pay anyone for a “slot”.
Read Also: TSC New Career Progression Guidelines: Classroom Teacher to Chief Principal (2027 Reforms)
Frequently asked questions
Will TSC hire primary teachers in November?
Only as replacements for those leaving. Reports say mass primary recruitment is suspended.
Do serving interns have to reapply?
Interns’ current contracts run to 31 December 2026. TSC has not published how conversion will work, so wait for the official notice.