MPs Direct TSC to Give Hiring Priority to Long-Unemployed Teachers
In a bold move aimed at promoting fairness and inclusivity within Kenya’s education sector, Members of Parliament (MPs) have directed the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to prioritize older, long-unemployed teachers in its recruitment processes.
This directive was issued on May 13, 2025, during a parliamentary session where the National Assembly’s Education Committee scrutinized the commission’s hiring practices.
Lawmakers expressed deep concern over the persistent unemployment crisis among teachers who graduated over a decade ago but have yet to secure permanent positions.
Some MPs cited examples of teachers who completed their training as early as 2009 and are still waiting for an opportunity, while recent graduates continue to dominate recruitment lists. The committee criticized the TSC for what they termed as “unfair and non-transparent hiring criteria,” which they believe has sidelined many qualified but older job seekers.
In response to the pressure from Parliament, TSC Chairman Jamleck Muturi assured MPs that the commission is reviewing its recruitment guidelines.
He confirmed that new measures will be implemented to favor teachers based on the length of unemployment, their academic credentials, and regional representation. The TSC is also set to encourage applications from teachers nearing retirement age, underscoring inclusivity and equal opportunity.
The revised recruitment guidelines will also prevent previously employed teachers under permanent and pensionable terms from taking new posts, giving a fair chance to first-time applicants.
These changes are expected to restore public confidence in the TSC and ensure that recruitment processes are more equitable and merit-based.
This parliamentary intervention is a significant step toward addressing historical injustices in the teacher employment system and could set a precedent for broader reforms in Kenya’s public sector recruitment.
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