TSC Asks Unemployed Teachers to Report to Sub-County Offices
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has asked all unemployed registered teachers to report to their respective Sub-County TSC offices for registration. This exercise is to collect data on unemployed teachers and comes after TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia appeared before the National Assembly Education Committee to answer questions on teacher employment, promotions and deployment.
The data being collected is:
- Full Name
- TSC Number
- ID Number
- Level of Education (PTE, Diploma, Degree)
- Subject Combinations
- Home Sub-County
- Year of Graduation
This is part of the Commission’s efforts to streamline recruitment, address staffing needs and prepare for upcoming local and international opportunities for teachers.
Lawmakers Want Recruitment Based on Age and Graduation Year
During her session with Parliament, Dr. Macharia was directed to give priority to unemployed teachers 40 and above and those who graduated earlier. This is because of long time frustrations among aging graduates who have waited for employment for years.
TSC has recently prioritized locally based interns during recruitment but concerns have been raised about political interference in the hiring process. Dr. Macharia however denied any involvement in backdoor appointments through politicians, despite public incidents suggesting otherwise – including former CS Ezekiel Machogu issuing employment letters at a funeral.
Government to Export Teachers Abroad
With over 398,000 qualified but unemployed teachers in Kenya, the government is now actively pursuing labour export programs, offering teaching jobs abroad. The project is called “Mwalimu Majuu” and has already seen a batch of teachers airlifted to Qatar to teach Kiswahili and other subjects.
These teachers with either Diploma or Degree earn up to Ksh 170,000 monthly in their new roles.
To qualify for these international teaching positions you must:
- Be a Kenyan citizen
- Hold a valid teaching qualification (Certificate, Diploma or Degree in Education)
- Be registered with TSC
- Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution
- Meet additional host country requirements (e.g. language proficiency, special certifications)
- Fast-Tracked Passport and Placement Process
The government has promised passport issuance within three days for selected candidates. According to Dr. Macharia, the new policy framework was developed after requests from foreign governments seeking Kenyan teachers, especially those who can teach:
- English (USA, Ireland, Germany, France, Canada, South Korea, Vietnam)
- Kiswahili (China, France, South Africa, Japan, Botswana)
- Islamic Religious Education and Science (Qatar)
- Special Needs Education (Kuwait, Japan, UAE)
The labour migration plan will be coordinated by TSC in partnership with the Ministries of Labour and Foreign Affairs.
What the Teacher Export Policy Means
The policy states:
- Teachers must resign from TSC positions to work abroad
- Upon returning there’s no guaranteed reemployment but they can reapply for future positions
- Teachers will go through orientation programs covering safety, medical needs, transport, contract terms and cultural sensitivity
- Standardized contracts will be used to ensure fair terms—salary, insurance, housing and repatriation
The policy aims to formalize the process, protect teachers working abroad and ensure transparent, merit-based selection.
A Database for Job Matching
The TSC is also developing a online database to:
- Store and manage teacher profiles
- Keep track of academic and professional qualifications
- Match teachers with job opportunities
- Collect feedback from teachers to improve the system
Only authorized personnel will have access to the platform which will have real time updates and policy reviews every 3 years.
Ruto’s Labour Export Drive: Job Creation or Desperation?
President William Ruto’s administration has made labour migration a key part of its job creation strategy. But the policy has mixed reactions.
Critics ask why the government is exporting teachers when local schools are severely understaffed, especially junior secondary schools which have been under resourced since CBC was rolled out. Others point to the harsh working conditions Kenyan workers face in the Middle East.
On the other hand, the policy’s supporters argue that global exposure enhances teachers’ skills, boosts remittances and opens new career paths—benefits that ultimately contribute to national development.
TSC’s Staffing Woes Continue
Despite the efforts to address unemployment, TSC has struggled to absorb the growing number of qualified teachers. In October 2024, TSC advertised 46,000 teaching positions and got over 314,000 applications. This was a clear indication of the unemployment crisis facing Kenyan teachers.
President Ruto had promised to employ 116,000 teachers within 2 years during his 2022 campaigns but progress towards that target is slow and uncertain.