The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has issued a warning to the public over a fake job advertisement claiming that 20,000 teaching positions on permanent and pensionable terms are available. The alert was shared on Tuesday, November 18, as the commission urged potential applicants not to fall for the scam.
TSC clarified that all official recruitment updates are shared exclusively through the commission’s website. “Beware of fake news and misinformation. All available vacancies are always declared through our website,” the statement read.
The fraudulent advert circulated widely on social media over Monday and Tuesday, targeting prospective Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers. It falsely listed required qualifications and emphasized that no money would be issued to assist with recruitment, likely to make the scam appear legitimate.
The origin of the fake letter remains unknown. Its timing, however, appears opportunistic as it coincided with ongoing pressure from intern teachers seeking permanent contracts. Last week, President William Ruto announced that the government plans to hire 20,000 additional teachers before next year, which created a fertile environment for scammers.
Tensions among JSS interns have been high, with some participating in demonstrations in Nairobi over employment concerns. Interns argue that the TSC’s two-year internship requirement contradicts the contracts they initially signed, insisting that permanent appointments should be accelerated.
President Ruto’s announcement on November 13 confirmed that JSS interns would be offered permanent contracts after completing two years of service as part of the government’s efforts to improve education standards. Despite this, teachers are accusing TSC of shifting goalposts and not adhering to promotion guidelines, demanding that at least 20,000 interns be confirmed immediately.
The TSC continues to advise job seekers to rely solely on verified sources and official announcements to avoid falling victim to scams.
