TSC Opens Online Registration for Unemployed Teachers
TSC Opens Online Registration for Unemployed Teachers The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has officially launched an online registration exercise for all unemployed, registered teachers across Kenya. This initiative is part of preparations for a major recruitment drive set for November 2025.
According to the Commission, all teachers—regardless of level (ECDE, Primary, or Post-Primary)—must register online using the official TSC links provided. Teachers facing difficulties accessing the portal are advised to visit or contact their respective TSC Sub-County Director’s office for guidance.
TSC Unemployed Teacher Census: Who Should Register?
The registration is mandatory for all unemployed teachers, including:
- ECDE Certificate and Diploma holders
- Primary and Post-Primary teachers
- Board of Management (BOM) teachers
This exercise aims to help the TSC accurately assess the number of qualified teachers seeking employment in Kenya.
Information required during registration includes:
- Full name
- TSC number
- National ID number
- Education level (PTE, Diploma, Degree)
- Subject combinations
- Year of graduation
- Home Sub-County
TSC to Recruit ECDE Teachers and Prioritize Older Graduates
The TSC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, is exploring the recruitment of ECDE teachers. There’s also a push by lawmakers to prioritize teachers aged 40+ and those who graduated earlier during recruitment.
While local teachers who previously served as interns are often favored, TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia has denied claims of backdoor employment influenced by politicians, despite evidence showing political interference in past teacher hiring processes.
Teacher Export Program: “Mwalimu Majuu” Initiative
In response to Kenya’s teacher unemployment crisis—with over 398,000 qualified teachers still jobless—the government has launched the “Mwalimu Majuu” program to export teachers abroad.
Already, some teachers have been deployed to Qatar, earning up to Ksh 170,000 monthly, particularly those with Kiswahili combinations. Others will soon be heading to countries such as:
- USA, Ireland, Germany – for English teachers
- South Africa, China, France, Japan, Botswana – for Kiswahili teachers
- Kuwait, UAE, Qatar – for Islamic Religious and Science teachers
- Canada, Spain, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, Russia – for English and Special Needs Education teachers
To qualify for international deployment, a teacher must:
- Be a Kenyan citizen
- Hold a valid teaching certificate (Degree, Diploma, or Certificate) from a recognized institution
- Be registered with TSC
- Meet Chapter Six of the Kenyan Constitution
- Satisfy host country requirements, e.g., language proficiency, specialized training, or certifications
Fast-Track Passport Issuance & Standardized Contracts
Successful applicants will receive passports within three working days. The government has also developed a policy framework to guide teacher exportation, outlining terms of service, including salaries, working hours, housing, insurance, and repatriation terms.
Teachers already employed on permanent and pensionable terms by the TSC will be required to resign before taking up international roles. These positions won’t guarantee reemployment upon return but allow former teachers to reapply when vacancies arise.
New Database and Registration Portal
The TSC will maintain a centralized database of unemployed teachers interested in local or international opportunities. The database will store:
- Academic and professional credentials
- Areas of specialization
- Host countries
- Application history
It will also support real-time updates, feedback collection, and reporting, with access limited to authorized personnel. The policy framework guiding this will be reviewed every three years or as needed.
Growing Criticism and Job Creation Debate
Despite Kenya’s severe teacher shortage, critics argue the government should focus on creating local employment instead of exporting labor, especially to regions known for unfavorable work conditions.
Still, the Ruto administration maintains that labour migration is a core part of its job creation strategy. International teaching jobs are seen as opportunities for professional growth, cultural exchange, and foreign remittances.
The Bottom Line
With hundreds of thousands of unemployed teachers and limited local hiring, the TSC’s mass registration and teacher export programs offer both relief and controversy. All unemployed, TSC-registered teachers are urged to register before the 30th May deadline through the official link provided. For support, visit your nearest TSC Sub-County office.
Click here to register online
(Contact your local TSC office for assistance if the link does not work)
