Thousands of teacher interns across Kenya are anxiously waiting for the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to release official guidelines for the next round of recruitment, amid growing debate over whether serving interns will be given priority in the selection process.
The anticipation has been fueled by the circulation of the Commission’s previous Selection Score Guide for Junior Secondary School interns, which outlined how applicants were awarded marks during recruitment. The score sheet allocated points based on academic and professional qualifications, age, subject combinations, and the number of years since graduation, with a maximum score of 100 marks.
Under the earlier framework, applicants could earn up to five marks for academic qualifications, while additional points were distributed across age brackets, teaching subjects, and time since qualifying as teachers.
However, attention has now shifted to whether the Commission will retain this scoring system or introduce new criteria that recognise the classroom experience of teachers currently serving under the internship programme.
Many interns argue that their hands‑on experience in schools should be factored into the recruitment process, saying they have acquired practical skills that set them apart from fresh applicants. Others, however, insist that all eligible candidates should compete on equal terms, warning against automatic advantages that could disadvantage newly qualified teachers.
Debate Over Internship Experience in Recruitment
The awaited guidelines are expected to clarify whether internship experience will attract additional marks or whether the Commission will maintain a strictly merit‑based system similar to previous recruitment exercises. Education stakeholders note that the decision will significantly affect both serving interns hoping for another term and new graduates seeking their first opportunity in the classroom.
The uncertainty comes as thousands of qualified teachers prepare to apply for upcoming internship opportunities, closely monitoring TSC announcements for clarity. Stakeholders have urged the Commission to ensure transparency, fairness, and competitiveness in the process to safeguard confidence in the recruitment exercise.
Until the official guidelines are released, speculation continues to dominate discussions within the teaching fraternity, with many calling on the Commission to provide clear communication and avoid confusion that could undermine trust in the system.
By Kithinji Njeru
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