Last reviewed: 24 October 2026
The TSC teacher internship programme has become the main entry point into public school teaching for many newly qualified teachers, especially in junior schools. This guide explains what the internship is, the requirements in recent adverts, the stipend, and how to apply when the next advert is published.
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What the internship is
In its 2025/2026 advert, TSC described the teacher intern programme as a programme “meant to equip and sustain the competencies of persons entering the teaching service”, targeting unemployed registered teachers who are posted to schools to build experience. The August 2025 advert for 24,000 junior school interns described a 12-month programme, while interns recruited in January 2025 have served a two-year internship ending on 31 December 2026, according to TSC statements reported in the media. Read the specific advert for the duration that applies.
Requirements in recent adverts
The 2025/2026 junior school intern advert, as reported by Tuko, required applicants to be:
- a Kenyan citizen;
- a holder of at least a Diploma in Education with a KCSE mean grade of C+ and C+ in two teaching subjects, or equivalent; and
- registered with TSC.
The advert also said applicants needed their original academic and professional certificates and a personal accident insurance cover for the internship period. Selection was on merit and based on vacancies per county, and successful candidates could be posted to any junior school in the sub-county where they were interviewed or anywhere in the county with a vacancy.
The stipend
For the 2025/2026 junior school internship, TSC said it would pay a monthly stipend of KSh 20,000, subject to statutory deductions, according to Tuko’s report of the advert. Interns are not on permanent terms, so they do not receive the allowances of P&P teachers.
How to apply
- Wait for the official advert on tsc.go.ke. In 2025 the portal opened on 26 August and closed on 9 September, a window of about two weeks.
- Log in to teachersonline.tsc.go.ke with your TSC registration details, or create an account.
- Select the internship advert, choose your county and sub-county, and complete all sections.
- Submit before the deadline. TSC does not accept manual applications.
- If shortlisted, attend the interview with original documents.
How selection works
TSC uses a scoring system set out in its recruitment guidelines for each financial year. Media explainers of the 100-mark criteria for junior school interns describe marks for factors including academic and professional qualifications and the year of graduation or age, with up to 10 marks linked to age. Read the guidelines attached to the advert you apply for.
From intern to permanent
Internship can lead to P&P employment. In August 2026, TSC advertised 20,000 junior school P&P posts largely intended to confirm the January 2025 interns, with interviews in November. See TSC recruitment 2026.
What’s next
As of 24 October 2026, no new internship advert had been published, though TSC has signalled further recruitment in November. Prepare your documents now and watch only official TSC channels. Recruitment is free; never pay anyone for a place.
Meanwhile, browse private and county openings on the teacher jobs board.
Sources
- Tuko.co.ke, “TSC advertises 24,000 teacher intern positions in junior schools” (12 August 2025), quoting the TSC advert
- The Kenya Times, explainer on TSC’s 100-mark intern selection criteria
- Elimu News Arena and Arena.co.ke reports on intern cohorts (2026)
- TSC recruitment portal, checked 24 October 2026
CBC Guides is independent and not part of TSC.