TSC changes tack as over 300,000 apply for 11,574 teaching jobs

Over 300, 000 teachers have applied for 11, 574 vacancies advertised last month by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).  

The huge number of job seekers — almost equal to those on government payroll (337,432) — has forced TSC to prepare a new schedule for the recruitment.

There are over 300,000 jobless teachers and tutors in private schools registered with the commission, which suggests it’s this entire group that has applied for the State jobs.

In the new plan, interviews to fill 5,000 new vacancies and replace 6,574 teachers who have exited service will kick-off next Thursday. This is almost one month after applications were closed.

The names of candidates who were shortlisted have been sent to the regions.

“The numbers were overwhelming. There are so many people who applied, more than we expected and we have to give every applicant a chance and go through their application,” TSC head of corporate communications Betty Wababu told the Nation.

Private schools

Ms Wababu disclosed that many teachers in private schools have applied for the jobs. This is attributable to job losses and uncertainty in private schools, which are experiencing severe cash flow shortages following the closure of schools in March to stem the spread of Covid-19.

She dismissed as fake documents that have been doing rounds on social media claiming that interviews for the successful applicants have been cancelled.

“It’s not true. There’s no delay,” she said, adding that the reporting date for the teachers still remains January 4, 2021.

According to the schedule, merit lists were sent to county directors on Wednesday.

They are to distribute them to sub-county directors who will schedule interviews in collaboration with secondary school principals.

Candidates will be given a seven-day notice. Applicants for vacancies in primary schools will be vetted at the sub-county level. The interviews will be conducted by a panel comprising the chair of the Board of Management (BoM), the head of the institution, a subject specialist and the TSC county director or a representative.

Teachers serving under the internship programme started last year by TSC will get a head start over other applicants during interviews, according to the scoring guidelines.

All counties must conclude the selection process and filling of serialized application for employment forms by the successful candidates by October 14.