Learn all eligibility requirements for the 9,159 TSC teacher replacement vacancies for 2025, including academic qualifications, teacher registration, citizenship rules, and the full criteria for primary, junior, and secondary school applicants.
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The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has officially opened 9,159 replacement vacancies for teachers who exited service through natural attrition in 2025. While many applicants are eager to submit their applications, not all teachers will qualify. Understanding the full eligibility requirements is essential before applying, especially because TSC strictly enforces compliance with its recruitment guidelines.
Below is a detailed breakdown of all requirements, qualifications, documentation standards, and eligibility rules that candidates must meet to participate in this recruitment cycle.
The first and most fundamental requirement is that a candidate must be a Kenyan citizen. TSC does not accept foreign nationals, regardless of their educational qualifications or teaching experience.
Applicants should have valid identification documents including:
National ID card (mandatory)
Passport (optional but acceptable as secondary ID)
Citizenship is crucial because employment under TSC falls under the Public Service of Kenya, which is legally restricted to Kenyan nationals unless otherwise stated.
2. Academic Qualification Requirements
TSC categorizes its qualifications based on the level of teaching: Primary School, Junior School, and Secondary School. Each level has minimum educational requirements.
a) Primary School Teachers – Minimum P1 Certificate
To qualify for primary school vacancies, a candidate must have at least a:
P1 Certificate from a recognized teacher training college.
Higher qualifications such as Diploma or Degree in Primary Education are also accepted, but teachers must have the foundational P1 or equivalent training.
b) Junior School Teachers – Minimum Diploma in Education
Applicants targeting junior school vacancies must possess a:
Diploma in Education, or higher.
This includes diplomas specifically aligned with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), as junior school teaching requires subject specialization.
c) Secondary School Teachers – Minimum Diploma in Education
Secondary school vacancies require:
A Diploma in Education, or
A Bachelor of Education Degree, or
A Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) for degree holders without education training.
Candidates with subject combinations that match TSC teaching requirements stand a better chance of recruitment.
3. Mandatory TSC Teacher Registration
No applicant can be shortlisted or hired unless they are a registered teacher with TSC. Teacher registration ensures that applicants meet professional, ethical, and educational standards required in Kenya.
To be considered registered, candidates must have:
A valid TSC number
A TSC registration certificate
No pending professional misconduct case
Unregistered teachers should not apply, as TSC will automatically reject their applications.
4. Professional Certificate Verification
TSC requires applicants to present original academic and professional certificates during interviews. This includes:
KCSE/KCPE certificates
College diplomas
University degrees
Transcripts
TSC registration certificates
Valid identification documents
Any inconsistency, forgery, or missing documentation automatically leads to disqualification.
5. Merit-Based Eligibility
TSC uses a merit-based scoring system during shortlisting and interviewing. Candidates are ranked based on:
Academic performance
Year of graduation
Teaching practice grades
Additional relevant qualifications
Previous experience (for some categories)
Merit lists created in this recruitment will also be reused for future hiring within the 2025/2026 financial year.
6. One Application Rule
Applicants are strictly required to submit only one Employment Application Form. TSC clearly warns that submitting multiple forms—or applying for more than one vacancy using different details—leads to automatic disqualification.
7. Opportunity for First-Time Applicants
TSC gives preference to teachers who have never been employed by the commission. This is meant to ensure fair distribution of employment opportunities among qualified but unemployed teachers.
The TSC recruitment process for 2025 is structured, transparent, and highly competitive. Meeting eligibility requirements is the first and most important step toward securing one of the 9,159 replacement vacancies. Applicants should verify their qualifications, ensure their TSC registration is valid, and comply with all application rules to improve their chances. By following these guidelines, teachers can confidently apply and position themselves favorably in the recruitment process.
