When the Teachers Service Commission recruits teachers on permanent and pensionable terms, selection is run by sub-county panels using TSC’s published recruitment guidelines. A large part of the process is document verification and scoring against fixed criteria, so preparation is as much about papers as about answers.
How Selection Works
The guidelines require every applicant to be a registered teacher under Section 23(1) of the TSC Act, 2012, and to apply online for the county or sub-county where the vacancy is declared. Applicants are invited for document verification, notified by SMS at least seven days before. After verification, the sub-county director compiles a merit list based on the scoring criteria in the guidelines.
Expect to present originals and copies of your national ID, TSC registration certificate, professional certificates, and KCSE and KCPE certificates, including certificates for every attempt if you re-sat an exam. If your name differs across documents, the guidelines require a sworn affidavit explaining the difference.
Practice Questions
Why did you choose teaching, and why this sub-county?
Keep it short and genuine. Mention any ties to the area and your willingness to serve where posted.
How do you plan a lesson under the Competency-Based Curriculum?
Talk about learning outcomes, learner-centred activities, core competencies and formative assessment. Use an example from your teaching practice or internship.
How do you assess learners other than through written tests?
Mention observation, projects, portfolios and oral questioning, and how you record progress.
How would you support a learner with special needs in a large class?
Describe early identification, differentiated tasks, seating, and working with parents and the school’s SNE support.
What does the TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics expect from you outside the classroom?
The guidelines refer to the Code of Conduct and Ethics for Teachers (2015). Show you understand professional boundaries, safeguarding of learners and responsible social media use.
Tell us about your internship or teaching experience.
If you served as a TSC intern or in a BOM post, describe specific responsibilities and results. Carry letters that prove the service.
A learner is repeatedly disruptive. What do you do?
Show a sequence: understand the cause, use positive discipline, involve the class teacher or guidance and counselling, and the parent. Corporal punishment is prohibited.
If you served as an intern, carry your internship letter and any appraisal. If you hold a degree plus a diploma, bring both, and check the guidelines for how each is scored. On the day, arrive early: verification queues can be long, and late arrivals risk missing their slot. Dress as you would to teach, and keep your answers focused on learners.
Bring every certificate, in order, with clear copies. Missing or inconsistent documents cost more candidates than weak answers.
These are practice questions we built from the official criteria above. They are not leaked or official interview questions, and real panels may ask different ones. Never pay anyone who offers “the actual questions” or a guaranteed slot: report it to DCI on 0800 722 203.
See the government recruitment tracker for open rounds and set up free job alerts.