TSC’s rules for recruiting teachers to post-primary institutions (secondary and junior schools) on permanent and pensionable terms in 2026/2027 are in Circular No. 15/2026, dated 13 August 2026. Applicants are scored out of 100 marks across four areas. Section D, intern service with the Commission in the same sub-county, carries 70 of those marks. Only duly registered teachers are considered.
Marks at a glance
| Section | Scoring area | Maximum marks |
|---|---|---|
| A | Academic and professional qualifications | 3 |
| B | Age | 7 |
| C | Length of stay since qualifying as a teacher | 20 |
| D | Experience (intern service with the Commission) | 70 |
| Total | 100 |
Who can apply
All applicants must be registered teachers under Section 23(1) of the Teachers Service Commission Act, 2012. The Sub-County Director verifies registration status during shortlisting, and unregistered applicants are not eligible. The selection panel interviews only applicants who meet the set criteria.
Graduate teachers
Applicants need a minimum KCSE mean grade of C+ and C+ in each of two teaching subjects, or two principals and one subsidiary pass at A-level. They also need one of these:
- A Bachelor of Education degree with two teaching subjects
- A Bachelor of Science or Arts degree plus a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), with two teaching subjects
- A Bachelor of Science with Education or Bachelor of Arts with Education, with two teaching subjects
- A Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and Extension, with two teaching subjects
Also eligible are Diploma in Education holders who had a mean grade of C plain and C+ in the two teaching subjects at KCSE before their Bachelor of Education. Applicants who took A-level instead need at least one principal and two subsidiaries for sciences, or two principals and one subsidiary for arts. Bridging or pre-university certificates completed before 31 December 2015 are considered.
Diploma teachers
Applicants need either a KCSE mean grade of C+ (or equivalent) with at least C+ in two teaching subjects of specialisation, or Division III at KCE with credits in the two teaching subjects, one principal and two subsidiaries at A-level, and a Diploma in Education from a recognised teacher training institution with at least C+ in the two teaching subjects. The circular also sets a minimum of C- in English and C plain in Mathematics for science-based courses (D+ for non-science courses).
Applicants who graduated in 2008 or before with C plain in the two teaching subjects are eligible. Hearing and visually impaired applicants who enrolled for training with C plain in the two teaching subjects are also eligible.
Technical teachers
Applicants need a KCSE mean grade of C+ (or equivalent) with C+ in the two teaching subjects, or one principal and two subsidiaries at A-level. They also need a Bachelor of Education Technology, a Bachelor of Science in a relevant technical subject, a Higher Diploma or a Diploma in a technical course, and C plain in Mathematics and English. Holders of the last three must also have a Diploma in Technical Teacher Education from the Kenya School of TVET. For CBE technical subjects (Aviation, Building Construction, Electricity, Metal Work, Power Mechanics, Wood Work, Media Technology, and Marine and Fisheries), TSC requires a minimum C+ in any one of the alternative KCSE subjects listed in Table 1 of Circular No. 9/2026.
Subject rules worth knowing
- Applicants must have studied their two teaching subjects at KCSE, except Agriculture, Business Studies, Home Science and Computer Studies. Those who did not study Business Studies or Computer Studies need at least C+ in Mathematics. Those who did not study Agriculture or Home Science need at least C+ in Biology.
- Graduate teachers need at least eight course units in each teaching subject, teaching methods in both and at least three months of teaching practice.
- Economics, Commerce or Accounting graduates can apply for Business Studies. Social Education and Ethics graduates can apply for CRE/IRE. Drawing and Design or Art and Design graduates can apply for Fine Art.
- Training in subjects outside the secondary curriculum, such as Forestry, Meteorology, Sociology, Journalism, Biotechnology or Theology, does not qualify, even with a PGDE.
- Applicants who have taken courses in CBE learning areas, including integrated science, pre-technical studies, creative arts, sports and social studies, are eligible.
How selection works
- Applications. Apply online for the institution, sub-county or counties where a vacancy is declared.
- Lists. The County Director shares the system-generated applicant list with Sub-County Directors, who set up the selection panels.
- Invitation. Applicants are told the venue, date and time by SMS at least seven days in advance.
- Verification in person. Panels check originals and the Sub-County Director certifies photocopies. Provisional transcripts are not accepted.
- Scoring. Panels score each applicant on the selection score guide.
- Merit lists. The County Director compiles interviewed applicants per subject combination and submits it to headquarters.
The panel depends on the institution:
| Institution | Panel |
|---|---|
| With a Board of Management (5) | BoM Chairperson (chair), Head of Institution (secretary), Subject Specialist, PA Chairperson, TSC Sub-County Director or representative |
| Without a BoM (5) | TSC Sub-County Director or representative (chair), Head of Institution (secretary), Subject Specialist, PA Chairperson, PA Member |
| Junior secondary schools (3) | TSC Sub-County Director (chair), Sub-County Human Resource Officer (secretary), Curriculum Support Officer |
The score sheet explained
A. Qualification (maximum 3 marks)
| Qualification | Top | Middle | Lowest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Education, or BA/BSc plus PGDE | First Class: 3 | Second Class: 2 | Pass: 1 |
| Diploma plus Diploma in Technical Education, or Diploma in Education | Distinction: 3 | Credit: 2 | Pass: 1 |
TSC’s grading table maps degree classes to GPA: First Class is 3.7 to 4.00 (81 to 100 marks), Upper Second 3.0 to 3.6 (71 to 80), Lower Second 2.3 to 2.9 (61 to 70), Pass 1.7 to 2.2 (51 to 60), and Fail 0 to 1.6 (50 and below).
B. Age (maximum 7 marks)
| Age | Marks |
|---|---|
| 50 and above | 7 |
| 45 to 49 | 5 |
| 44 and below | 3 |
C. Length of stay since qualifying (maximum 20 marks)
| Year | Marks | Year | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 and before | 20 | 2019 | 11 |
| 2011 | 19 | 2020 | 10 |
| 2012 | 18 | 2021 | 9 |
| 2013 | 17 | 2022 | 8 |
| 2014 | 16 | 2023 | 7 |
| 2015 | 15 | 2024 | 6 |
| 2016 | 14 | 2025 | 5 |
| 2017 | 13 | 2026 | 4 |
| 2018 | 12 |
For Section C, the year in which you satisfactorily qualified as a teacher, under Commission policies, is the year used. The certificate is what scores Section A.
D. Experience (maximum 70 marks)
| Intern service with the Commission | Marks |
|---|---|
| 12 months and above in the sub-county, continuously | 70 |
| Below 12 months in the sub-county, continuously | 50 |
Two illustrations
These use the score sheet values and are not real applicants. The total is A + B + C + D.
- A Bachelor of Education (Second Class, 2), aged 38 (3), qualified in 2019 (11), with 12 months of continuous intern service in the sub-county (70): 2 + 3 + 11 + 70 = 86 out of 100.
- A Diploma in Education (Credit, 2), aged 52 (7), qualified in 2015 (15), with under 12 months of intern service (50): 2 + 7 + 15 + 50 = 74 out of 100.
Sections A to C together carry at most 30 marks (3 + 7 + 20).
Tie-breakers and preference
If applicants tie, TSC decides in this order: length of stay since graduation, quality of academic certificates, then quality of professional certificates. If they tie at aggregate grades, subject grades are considered. Preference goes to applicants not previously employed by the Commission on permanent and pensionable terms, then to applicants from the respective sub-county, followed by those from the county, in order of merit.
Applicants with disabilities
TSC says at least 5% of all advertised slots are reserved for teachers with disabilities. Applicants indicate their disability status and its nature, and are scored on a separate selection score guide with the same sections and maximums. Applicants with hearing or speech disabilities are entitled to a sign language interpreter. Selection venues must be accessible.
Documents for verification
Bring originals and clear photocopies of:
- National identification card
- Certificate of registration as a teacher
- Diploma or degree certificate and official transcripts
- KCSE certificates or equivalent, with certificates for all attempts if you re-sat
- KCPE certificate or equivalent, with certificates for all attempts if you re-sat
- Primary and secondary school leaving certificates and other testimonials covering the period at each level
- NCPWD card, where applicable
- Affidavit under the Oaths and Statutory Declarations Act (Cap. 15), where your names differ across documents
- Letter of certification of results from KNEC, where applicable
For a cancelled exam, bring a letter from the Head of Institution and a certified KNEC printout from the school confirming the cancellation.
For successful applicants
TSC’s checklist also lists two passport-size colour photographs, the original medical examination report in Form GP 69, a KRA PIN certificate, bank plate or card (front face), a SHIF printout number, an NSSF card, a duly filled next of kin form and a pay point particulars form.
What can cost you the post
TSC says applicants who present forged or fake academic, professional or other documents commit an offence and are disqualified or deregistered. An application or offer of employment based on misleading information is revoked immediately.
Read Also: TSC Primary Teacher Recruitment Guidelines 2026: Score Sheet, Documents and Selection Process
Complaints and appeals
- Submit a written complaint to the County Director and email TSC headquarters at [email protected] within seven days of the selection process.
- The County Director has seven days to analyse and address complaints and inform headquarters.
- If you are dissatisfied with the County Director’s decision, appeal in writing to the Director Staffing at TSC headquarters within seven days. The Appeals Committee acts within 14 days.