Prospective Junior Secondary School (JSS) teacher interns, take note! The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has officially published the guidelines for the 2025/2026 recruitment cycle, including the detailed score sheet that will determine how applicants are ranked. This highly anticipated announcement is a turning point for thousands of qualified teachers seeking opportunities in Kenya’s education system.
Gone are the days of simply meeting the minimum qualifications. Success now depends on a transparent, points-based system that highlights the Commission’s hiring priorities. For JSS applicants, understanding the score sheet is no longer optional — it is the difference between success and disappointment. Below, we unpack the system, explain how points are allocated, and provide tips to boost your chances of recruitment.
Why the Score Sheet Matters for JSS Interns
The JSS intern recruitment program is designed to support the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) rollout by filling staffing gaps in newly established schools. With thousands of graduates flooding the job market each year, competition for internship slots is intense. The score sheet provides a level playing field by outlining how candidates are ranked. Applicants are no longer judged solely on degree class or connections but rather on a comprehensive matrix of factors, including qualifications, subject specialization, age, and years since graduation.
The Four Categories of the TSC Score Sheet
1. Academic and Professional Qualifications (5 Points)
Academic qualifications remain important but carry the least weight in the new system. Graduates of Bachelor of Education programs or those holding a BSc/BA plus a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) are awarded points based on their degree classification.
- First Class = 5 points
- Second Class = 4 points
- Pass = 3 points
Diploma holders are scored similarly: Distinction earns 5 points, Credit 4 points, and Pass 3 points. While good grades boost your score, it is clear that TSC is placing more emphasis on other categories, making degree class only a small piece of the puzzle.
2. Age (10 Points)
TSC is giving priority to older candidates who have been in the job market longer. This reflects a push to balance opportunities by recognizing those who have waited years for absorption.
- 50 years and above = 10 points
- 45–49 years = 9 points
- 40–44 years = 8 points
- 39 years and below = 7 points
This approach rewards patience and perseverance. A graduate in their 20s may have stronger academic credentials, but a teacher in their 40s or 50s stands a better chance due to age-based points.
3. Teaching Subject (65 Points)
Subject combination is the single most important factor in the score sheet, carrying a massive 65 points. TSC has categorized subjects into tiers based on demand.
- Top Tier (65 points): Biology, Chemistry, Physics
- Second Tier (55 points): Mathematics
- Third Tier (40 points): Computer Studies, Agriculture, Business Studies, Home Science, Art & Design, Music
- Fourth Tier (25 points): English, Kiswahili, French, German, Kenya Sign Language
- Fifth Tier (5 points): History, Geography, CRE, IRE, HRE
This scoring clearly demonstrates the urgent need for science and mathematics teachers in the CBC era. Applicants with these subject combinations have a significant advantage, while those in humanities face steep competition.
4. Length of Stay Since Graduation (20 Points)
To complement the age criterion, TSC also rewards those who completed their training earlier but have not yet been employed.
- 2016 or earlier = 20 points
- 2017 = 18 points
- 2018 = 16 points
- 2019 = 14 points
- 2020 = 12 points
- 2021 = 10 points
- 2022 = 8 points
- 2023 = 6 points
- 2024 = 4 points
- 2025 = 2 points
For many teachers who have been waiting years since graduation, this is a welcome development as their patience now translates into a higher ranking.
Other Key Considerations for Applicants
Registration is Mandatory: Every applicant must be a registered teacher with the TSC. Applications without a valid TSC number will be disqualified. If you’re not yet registered, follow this comprehensive guide on TSC job applications to prepare before recruitment begins.
5% Quota for PWDs: A constitutional requirement ensures that at least 5% of internship slots are reserved for teachers with disabilities. This group will be assessed on a separate but equally transparent score sheet.
Degree Eligibility: Only degrees aligned with the school curriculum are valid. Qualifications like Journalism, Forestry, Sociology, or Theology are excluded, even when paired with a PGDE. Applicants should verify that their degree is approved by TSC.
Document Integrity: Forged certificates and misleading information will lead to immediate disqualification, deregistration, and possible legal action. TSC has emphasized that it will cross-check documents carefully.
Tie-Breaker Rule: In cases where candidates tie in total points, the teacher who graduated earlier will be ranked higher. This is another way TSC is addressing backlog in graduate absorption.
Tips for Maximizing Your Chances
- Prioritize Science Combinations: If you are pursuing or considering further studies, a subject in the sciences (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, or Mathematics) significantly boosts employability.
- Stay Updated on TSC Guidelines: The recruitment system is dynamic. Always monitor updates on official platforms or check reliable resources such as this TSC transfer application guide.
- Prepare Documents Early: Ensure your certificates, transcripts, and registration details are ready before the application window opens.
- Consider Additional Training: Courses in ICT integration, Special Needs Education, or CBC retooling may give you an edge.
- Think Beyond Employment: While waiting for absorption, use downtime productively. For instance, explore AI-powered tools for teachers to strengthen your teaching practice or improve holiday assignments.
Stakeholder Reactions
The release of the score sheet has sparked debate among education stakeholders. Many young graduates feel disadvantaged by the preference for older applicants, while unions such as KNUT and KUPPET have praised TSC for acknowledging long-waiting teachers. Universities, on the other hand, are under pressure to rethink program offerings since humanities graduates face slim chances in recruitment.
Education experts argue that the heavy weighting on science subjects reflects the government’s commitment to STEM education and Vision 2030 goals. However, some worry this may create imbalances by undervaluing languages and humanities, which remain crucial to holistic learning.
Final Word
The 2025 JSS internship recruitment will not be business as usual. The new score sheet makes it clear that TSC is prioritizing experience, patience, and science-based subject combinations. While your degree class is important, it is no longer the deciding factor. Success will depend on a combination of subject choice, years since graduation, and strategic preparation.
For JSS interns, the message is simple: know the score sheet, prepare your documents, and be realistic about where you stand. Those with science subject combinations enjoy a strong advantage, but everyone else can still compete by ensuring compliance, maximizing available points, and presenting their best professional self.
Good luck to all 2025 applicants. May the odds be in your favor as you navigate this transparent but highly competitive process.
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