Applicants for the Internship posts can now smile with a sigh of relief after the Teachers Service Commission Released Recruitment Guidelines for Interns of Secondary Schools for the year 2020/2021.
The TSC Circular No. 16/2020 contained the following details.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Following the advertisement for the recruitment of teacher interns for Secondary schools, the Board of Management of schools is required to conduct a selection exercise for the advertised vacancies in their respective schools.
- The selection panel will be expected to exercise the highest degree of transparency and accountability, as stipulated in the Public Officers Ethics Act, and TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics for teachers. The Head of Institution is required to induct members of the Board of Management/Selection panel on the relevant areas of the TSC Act, the Code of Regulations for Teachers (CORT), and the relevant administrative procedures prior to the commencement of the exercise.
- The TSC County Director MUST ensure that the recruitment process is done in strict adherence to the protocols by the Ministry of Health on containment of COVID-19 Pandemic.
- All applications must be registered as per Section 23(1) of the Teachers Service Commission Act, 2012. Applicants who are no registered do not qualify to be recruited.
- All applicants who apply for confirmation of results from KNEC should provide the address of the County Director where they made their application. It will be the responsibility of the applicants to ensure that the results are received within 14 days after the verification of certificates by the County Directors.
- Applicants whose names differ in the certificates and/or identity cards are required to provide a duly sworn Affidavit explaining the variation in names or the sequence thereof.
- Applicants who re-sat either KCPE or KCSE examinations (or their equivalent) MUST present certified copies of the certificate(s) of the national examination(s) in question for all attempts.
- Applicants will be required to submit their applicants to: The Secretary, Teachers Service Commission through online platform www.teacheronline.tsc.go.ke for the county where a vacancy has been declared.
- System generated Merit List will be sent to the County Directors. Upon receipt of the Merit List, the County Directors shall share with their respective Sub-County Directors and Heads of Institutions. Heads of Institutions shall use the Merit List to organize for the Interviews in consultation with their respective Sub-County Directors.
- Upon invitation for an interview, applicants will be expected to appear with originals and clear copies of the following documents:-
- National Identification Card;
- National Council of Persons with Disability (NCPWD) Card (where applicable);
- KCPE certificate or it’s equivalent (include certificates for attempts if one repeated exams);
- KCSE certificates of its equivalent (include certificates for attempts if one repeated exams);
- Diploma/Degree certificate and official transcripts;
- Certificate of Registration as a teacher;
- Sworn Affidavit where names appearing on the submitted documents differ;
- Primary and Secondary School leaving certificates and other relevant testimonials.
- The date, venue, and time of the interview should be displayed on Notice Boards at the County, Sub-Counties, Zonal and Institutional offices.
- Heads of Institutions should communicate to all shortlisted applicants through SMS (Short Message Service) at least seven (7) days before the actual date of the interview.
- All applicants, regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, or Home County should be given equal opportunity. However, in case of a tie n the scores by the applicants, consideration will be given to the following in their order of priority:
- Applicant(s) disability status, if any;
- The Applicant’s performance/ grade in teaching earlier in time;
- The academic and professional performance demonstrated through certificates i.e. higher aggregate KCSE grade will be given foremost consideration.
- The names of interviewed applicants ranked in order of performance during the selection process for each vacancy (Appendix III) will be submitted to the Commission by the County Director together with relevant recruitment documents.
- Applicants who were previously employed by the Commission DO NOT qualify for the internship programme.
- TSC County Directors MUST ensure that Heads of Institutions confirm the online registration status of the applicants to avoid engaging unregistered/deregistered teachers in the selection process.
2.0 VERIFICATION AND AUTHENTICATION OF ACADEMIC, PROFESSIONAL AND RELATED DOCUMENTS
Applicants must present original and legible photocopies of the following documents:
- National Identification Cards;
- National Council of Persons with Disability (NCPWD) Card (where applicable);
- Certificate of Registration as a teacher;
- KCPE (or its equivalent) Certificated (include certificates for attempts if one repeated exams);
- KCSE (or its equivalent) Certificated (include certificates for attempts if one repeated exams);
- Diploma/Degree Certificated and official transcripts;
- Primary and Secondary Schools Leaving certificates;
- Sworn Affidavit commissioned by a Magistrate where names in the submitted documents differ;
- A copy of Personal Insurance Certificate;
- Certificate of good conduct/waiting slip or certificate of good conduct.
NB: Provisional transcript(s) shall not be accepted.
- The selection panel shall vet each applicant to verify that:-
- He/she meets the requirements of the TSC advertisement;
- Submitted original academic and professional certificates, as well as official transcripts are authentic.
- The proof of application for confirmation of results from KNEC has been availed where the certificates are missing. It will be the responsibility of the applicants to ensure that the results are received within 14 days after the verification of certificates
- Where results have been confirmed, the original statement of confirmation of results MUST be submitted together with recruitment documents.
- The Secretary, Board of Management shall certify photocopies of the original certificates and confirm to the Sub-County Director that they are true copies of the candidate’s original certificates.
- Once the interview process is completed, the results will be communicated to the applicants on the same day. Successful applicant(s) will be issued with the TSC Internship Agrement for execution.
- It is the responsibility of the TSC County Director to ensure that the:
- Recruitment exercise is fair and transparent;
- Successful applicant(s) on the Merit list sign the Internship Agreement are issued with Offer of Internship Letter.
- The secretary, Board of Management will ensure that successful applicant signs Internship Agreement and is issued with the “Offer of Internship letter” by the TSC County Director so as to report on the stipulated date. Entry Report (Casualty) MUST be submitted to the TSC Headquarters immediately the teacher Intern reports for Internship.
- The Internship Agreement together with other relevant documents should be submitted to the TSC County Director’s office by the TSC Sub-County Director. The TSC County Director, upon verification and ensuring that all the requirements are met by the successful candidates shall issue the candidates with Offer of Internship letter together with other relevant documents shall be submitted to the TSC Headquarters within the stipulated timelines.
- Any applicant(s) who present forged/fake academic, professional and other documents subject to a disciplinary process.
3.0 SELECTION PANEL FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS
The selection panel for secondary schools with functional BOMs shall comprise of the following.
- Chairperson, Board of Management – Chairperson
- Head of Institution – Secretary
- Subject Specialist – Member
- TSC County Director/ Representative – Member
A total of 4 members
The selection Panel for Secondary Schools with functional BOMs shall comprise of:
- TSC County Director/representative – Chairperson
- Head of Institution – Secretary
- Subject Specialist – Member
- PA Chairperson – Member
A total of 4 members
N/B: The TSC County Director shall ensure that the Selection Panel is well sensitized to conduct the interview within the COVID-19 containment measures as set by the Ministry of Health.
4.0 SELECTION CRITERIA
- The Secretary, Board of Management shall present a system-generated list received from the County Director of all applicants to the selection panel.
- The selection panel shall conduct interviews for those who meet the set criteria. The County Director should note any inconsistency (ies); make a decision(s) based on the guidelines and advice the applicants/panel and the Commission accordingly.
- Applicants shall present themselves in person to the Selection panel. The Panel shall score each applicant based on the selection score guide (Appendices 1(a) or 1(b).
- An applicant with special needs, especially challenges relating to speech and/or hearing shall be allowed the company and support of a sign language Interpreter or an appropriate Assistant.
5.0 QUALIFICATIONS
Eligibility for Graduate Teacher Interns
- Applicants must have a minimum mean grade of C+ (plus) at KCSE and C+ (plus) in each of the two teaching subjects or two (2) Principles and one (1) Subsidiary pass at ‘A’ level. In addition, they must have:
- A Bachelor of Education Degree with two (2) teaching subjects.
- A Bachelor of Science or Arts Degree plus a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) with two teaching subjects.
- Bachelor of Science with Education/Bachelor of Arts with Education with two teaching subjects.
- Bachelor of Education holders with Mean Grade of C (Plain) and C(Plain in the two teaching subjects at KCSE and have undertaken a Diploma in Education or gone through the A-level system in the relevant area(s) are eligible.
- Bridging/Pre-University certificates for those who completed the course before December 2015 may be considered.
Eligibility for Diploma Teacher Interns
- Applicants must have a minimum Mean Grade of C+ (Plus) at KCSE or its equivalent with at least C+ (plus) or Credit pass) in the two teaching subjects or one (1) Principle and two (2) Subsidiaries at ‘A’- level. In addition, they must have a Diploma in Education from a recognized Teacher Training Institution.
- Diploma Teachers who graduated in 2008 or before with a Mean Grade of C (Plain) and C (plain) in the two teaching subjects are eligible.
Eligibility for Technical Teacher Interns
- Applicants must have a minimum Mean Grade of C+ (Plus) at KCSE or its equivalent with at least C+ (or Credit Pass) in the two teaching subjects or one (1) Principle and two (2) Subsidiaries at ‘A’ Level. In addition, they must have:
- Bachelor of Education Technology (Bed ECH); OR
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in any relevant technical subject(s) /Course; or
- A Higher Diploma in a technical course; or
- A Diploma in a technical course.
- Further, applicants under category (5.3.3.) above MUST possess a Diploma in Technical Teacher Education from Kenya Technical Teachers College (KTTC) or a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) from a recognized University.
- Applicants with Economics/Commerce/Accounting can apply for Business Studies and those with Social Education and Ethics (SEE) for CRE/IRE vacancies.
- Diploma Teacher Interns with English/other subjects qualify for engagement as English/Literature teacher interns.
- All applicants must have studied at least two (2) teaching subjects at KCSE except for Agriculture, Business Studies, Home Science, and Computer. For those who did not study Business Studies and Computer, one should have attained a minimum of C+ (plus) in Mathematics in KCSE. For those who did not study Agriculture and Home Science, one should have attained a minimum of C+ in Biology at KCSE.
- Graduate Teacher Interns should have studied a minimum of eight (8) course units in each teaching subject.
- Applicants presenting enhancement certificate(s)/official transcripts in teaching subject(s) from a recognized institution(s) qualify for employment if they scored at least a C+ (plus) in the enhanced subject at KCSE.
- Applicants previously employed under contract and whose services were terminated due to inadequate units in teaching subjects and have since obtained enhancement certificates with adequate units are eligible to apply.
- Applicants applying for computer studies MUST have taken a teaching methods course in the subject.
- For applicants trained in Special Needs Education, Kenya Sign Language (KSL) or Braille will be considered as “teaching subjects”. Such will, for instance, include Biology/KSL and Geography/Braille, etc.
- Applicants whose training is in subjects that are currently not in the Curriculum do not qualify, irrespective of the Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PDGE) and /or enhanced qualification/s as they may possess. This category includes, but not limited to Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in Natural Resources, Meteorology, Forestry, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, Farm Machinery, Fisheries, Anthropology, Sociology, Theology/Divinity, Journalism, etc.
6.0 AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS BY THE TSC COUNTY DIRECTOR
The TSC County Directors should:
- Ensure that the recruitment documents consist of all the required attachments;
- Scrutinize the recruitment documents to confirm that the applicant(s) recruited qualify for internship as per these Recruitment Guidelines;
- Ensure that all documents are duly signed as required; including the score sheets, Minutes of the Selection Panels confirming that the candidate qualifies/merits to be engaged as an intern;
- Receive and address the complaints received, liaise with the complainant and submit appropriate action taken and/or recommendations to the Commission Headquarters.
7.0 DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE TSC HEADQUARTERS
Upon conclusion of the Recruitment exercise at the County level, the County Director is required to submit the following documents to the TSC Headquarters:
The duly executed offer of Internship letter and the Internship Agreement, together with a copy of the acknowledgment of receipt of an application for an internship, certified copies of Certificate of Registration as a teacher, academic certificates, professional certificates, and all official transcripts, identity card, NCPWD Card (where applicable), Affidavits (where applicable) and two passport size photographs in respect of successful candidate(s).
The County Director shall also submit the following documents in respect of every successful applicant:
- List og applicants with special needs (Appendix VI)
- Duly signed Minutes of the relevant Board of Management Meeting;
- Completed selection score guide duly signed;
- Any relevant document or material used in the Recruitment exercise.
8.0 GRIEVANCE MANAGEMENT
- An applicant dissatisfied with the objectivity or any irregular or illegal matter related to the manner the recruitment is undertaken should immediately submit a written complaint to the TSC County Director and send an email thereof to the TSC Headquarters through ddstaffing@tsc.go.ke not later than seven (7) days after the selection exercise;
- Upon receipt of the complaint, the TSC County Director should, within seven (7) days analyze and address the issue/s raised and thereafter respond to the complainant and submit a report to the Headquarters elaborating on the matter and indicating the action taken.
- Where the Complaint is made against the TSC County Director, the TSC Headquarters shall investigate the allegations and take appropriate remedial action.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Clarification and advice on all matters arising from these guidelines should be directed to the respective TSC County Directors.
- Under no circumstances should an applicant sign an Internship Agreement to serve two or more schools. in addition, an applicant should not be in possession of more than one Offer of Internship letter.
- Notwithstanding the decentralization of the teacher interns recruitment process, the Commission may undertake the recruitment directly from the TSC Headquarters.
N/B: To get the actual TSC Recruitment Guidelines of Teacher Interns – Secondary Schools 2020/2021 file, click on this download link.