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The Government is seeking to recruit 6,674 intern teachers for primary and secondary schools under the post Covid-19 Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP).

Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Secretary Dr Nancy Macharia said the vacant positions include 1,998 for primary and another 4,676 for secondary schools.

The internship will be for 12 months. Serving teacher interns are, however, not eligible to apply.

“This is part of the National Government post Covid-19 ESP announced vide the seventh presidential address on the coronavirus pandemic in May. 

The teacher internship is a one-year programme meant to equip and sustain competencies of persons entering teaching service,” said Dr Macharia, in a notice issued yesterday.

Interested and qualified candidates are to make online applications through the TSC website by December 14. Manual  application will not be considered.

Dr Macharia said the programme targets unemployed registered teachers to be assigned to learning institutions where their teaching skill will be enhanced through mentorship, coaching and exposure to practical teaching experience.

Much as this is not a remunerative engagement, Macharia said, the teacher interns attached to primary schools will be eligible for a monthly stipend of Sh15,000 while those in secondary will get Sh20,000.

“The stipends will be paid subject to statutory deductions, where applicable,” explained Macharia.

To qualify for this programme, the applicant, must at the time of application meet some key requirements including being a Kenyan citizen and registered with TSC.

They must be holders of a P1 certificate for primary teachers and a minimum of a diploma in Education Certificate for secondary school teachers.

TSC has also put a caveat on who is eligible, saying applicants should not have been in previous employment with the commission as a teacher on permanent terms.

Additional budget

They must be ready to be posted to any public educational institution in the country and must also have personal accident insurance to cover for personal risks during the internship period.

In May, President Uhuru Kenyatta said the Government had allocated Sh6.5 billion to the Ministry of Education for hiring teachers and supporting online learning during the Covid-19 period.

“I know the anxiety weighing on the minds of parents and their children in regard to when schools will reopen.

We will in the very near future, be communicating what plans and programmes we have for the education sector.

In that regard, we have allocated an additional budget of Sh6.5 billion to the Ministry of Education,” the President said in his May address.

The President said the purpose of the funds is to hire 10,000 teachers and 1,000 ICT interns to support digital learning. 

“Programme will also support the improvement of school infrastructure, including acquisition of 250,000 locally fabricated desks. 

The aim is to get thousands of our graduates off the bench and into action while we support local artisans and builders businesses,” he explained.

And in its notice yesterday, TSC said a successful candidate will be required to produce copies of national identity card and teacher registration certificate from TSC online portal evidencing registration as a teacher.

Other documents required include a copy of National Council for Persons with Disability card, certificate of good conduct and copies of National Hospital Insurance Fund  and Kenya Revenue Authority  PIN.

Macharia warned applicants against being duped saying the recruitment exercise is free of charge.