The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has warned schools against a fake message circulating on social media asking them to contribute money towards teacher recruitment and promotion interviews. In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 8, the Commission said the message falsely claims that schools are required to make financial contributions to facilitate the interviews. TSC said no fees are charged for services provided to teachers, including recruitment and promotion.

“Recruitment and promotion remain core functions of TSC and are conducted in a transparent and accountable manner. These services are fully funded by TSC,” the Commission said.

The Commission also said its County Directors are provided with adequate resources to facilitate the recruitment and promotion exercises. The warning follows the circulation of a message purporting to request financial contributions from schools to support the interviews. The message reportedly asked schools with Junior Secondary sections to contribute KSh1,000, while schools without Junior Secondary sections were allegedly required to contribute KSh500. It further claimed that the money should be submitted to zonal chairpersons by September 11 to facilitate the interviews. TSC has disowned the message and cautioned school heads against participating in or entertaining such unauthorised financial arrangements. The Commission’s clarification means schools and teachers should not make payments to individuals or groups claiming to be collecting money on behalf of TSC for recruitment or promotion interviews.

TSC said recruitment and promotion are among its core responsibilities and are financed by the Commission. The Commission’s online teacher services platform also states that applications for advertised teaching positions do not require payment. Applicants can submit their applications online and track the processing of their applications through the platform. TSC has previously warned applicants about fraudsters seeking money by falsely claiming they can influence recruitment outcomes. Its recruitment notices have consistently stated that the recruitment process is free of charge. The latest warning comes as TSC continues to conduct recruitment and promotion exercises across the country. Its online promotion system currently lists 2026 vacancies and interview-related processes, including the promotion of teachers to various grades.

TSC specifically directed heads of public basic education institutions not to participate in or support unauthorised engagements involving financial contributions for recruitment or promotion interviews. The warning is intended to prevent schools, teachers and applicants from being exploited through false requests made in the name of the Commission. School administrators have consequently been urged to verify information through official TSC communication channels before acting on requests involving recruitment, promotion or payments.

For teachers seeking recruitment or promotion, the key clarification from TSC is that no payment is required for these services. Any individual or group demanding money in connection with TSC recruitment or promotion interviews is therefore acting outside the Commission’s authorised process. The Commission has urged education stakeholders to disregard the circulating message and rely on official TSC communication for information concerning recruitment and promotion exercises.