Teachers Service Commission

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is a constitutional body established under Article 237 of the Kenyan Constitution, with its origins dating back to 1967. The Commission emerged from sustained advocacy efforts in the 1950s, led by former President Daniel Arap Moi and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), to create a unified body managing teachers' affairs in response to disparate employment conditions under missionaries, local authorities, and the Central Government.

TSC's primary functions include registering trained teachers, handling recruitment and employment, managing assignments and transfers, exercising disciplinary control, and terminating employment when necessary. The Commission reviews educational standards, monitors teacher supply and demand, and advises the national government on teaching profession matters. It manages the teachers' payroll, facilitates career progression, and oversees professional development, including the appointment of head teachers and principals.

The Commission consists of a chairperson and eight members serving non-renewable six-year terms. The chairperson must hold an education degree with 15 years of relevant experience, while members require degrees with 10 years of experience in education, governance, management, or law. The Commission possesses investigative powers, can conduct mediations, and has authority to acquire and dispose of property. It operates with flexibility in gathering information, can receive public statements, and may require attendance before its committees without being bound by strict evidence rules.