Teaching Jobs in Kenya: TSC, ECDE and Private Schools
Updated 2026-11-10
Teachers in Kenya are hired by three different employers, and each recruits in its own way: the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for public primary, junior and senior schools; county governments for ECDE (pre-primary) teachers and youth polytechnic instructors; and private schools. This guide explains each route, what each pays, and what you need before you apply.
TSC recruitment and internships are free. TSC warns teachers about people selling "slots" or fake circulars; apply only through the TSC portal and check announcements on tsc.go.ke.
TSC: teachers in public schools
Registration first: you must be registered with the Teachers Service Commission (your TSC number) to teach in any school in Kenya, public or private.
Recruitment is announced by TSC and run through its online portal, with posts allocated per county and sub-county; applicants are scored on qualifications, length of time since qualifying and other published criteria.
The TSC internship programme places trained teachers in schools for a fixed term on a stipend, and counts in later recruitment.
Pay follows TSC grades (for example B5 for Primary Teacher II, C1 and above for graduate and senior teachers) under the 2025-2029 collective bargaining agreement, phased in through 2029. The Phase II circular of 16 July 2026 set current scales; it was reported to put B5 at KSh 26,225 - 33,444 a month. Check the circular itself before relying on any figure.
County governments: ECDE and polytechnic posts
Pre-primary (ECDE) teachers and youth polytechnic instructors are county employees, recruited through County Public Service Boards and paid on the CPSB scale. Makueni County’s November 2026 advert recruited ECDE Teacher III at CPSB 11 (KSh 28,620 - 37,100), and Kitui recruited Youth Polytechnic Instructor III posts. See every county grade on the CPSB salary scales page and how county recruitment works.
Private schools and other teaching jobs
Private and international schools advertise on their own websites and job boards, usually ahead of each term. They still require TSC registration.
Universities and TVET colleges hire lecturers and tutorial fellows; public universities advertise on their own sites (search ".ac.ke" adverts).
Keep certified copies of your certificates and your TSC registration ready for every application; schools verify them before hiring.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for TSC teaching jobs?
Register with TSC, then apply through the TSC online recruitment portal when TSC announces recruitment. Posts are allocated per county and sub-county against published scoring criteria. There is no fee.
How much do teachers earn in Kenya?
TSC teachers are paid on TSC grades under the 2025-2029 CBA; the July 2026 Phase II circular was reported to put B5 (Primary Teacher II) at KSh 26,225 to 33,444 a month. County ECDE Teacher III posts are paid on CPSB 11, KSh 28,620 to 37,100, per Makueni County’s November 2026 advert.
Who employs ECDE teachers in Kenya?
County governments. ECDE teachers are recruited by County Public Service Boards and paid on the CPSB scale, not by TSC.
Do private school teachers need TSC registration?
Yes. Registration with the Teachers Service Commission is required to teach in any school in Kenya.