TSC kicks off national biometric registration of teachers

The Teachers Service Commission(TSC) have today kicked off the launch of biometric registration and validation of teachers to curb exam irregularities.

The enrolment exercise will start today and end on May 21 in seven counties before the main exercise is rolled out across the country.

The exercise will also collect an updated list of teachers under the commission’s employment.

“The biometric registration will help the Commission to verify teacher distribution and utilization in schools, establish areas of teaching specialization, validate enrolment in public schools and authenticate teachers bio data and employment records,” says TSC.

TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia said the commission has sampled 143 primary and secondary schools as well as teacher training colleges.

According to her, the information collected from this exercise will facilitate the establishment of a database that will inform the commission in policy and decision-making.

She said the process will entail enlisting their finger prints which cant then allow for forensic and intelligence-led investigations in cases where examination papers are tampered with and where cell phones and other gadgets are used to commit examination malpractices.

“In future, all teachers will also have to undergo the biometric enrolment before they enter the commission’s payroll,” she said.

Teachers are required to physically avail; certificate of registration, National ID card, Letter of firsts appointment and Academic certificates.

The seven counties identified for the pilot are Uasin Gishu, Homa Bay, Bungoma, Nyeri, Kilifi, Kitui and Garissa.

The process was scheduled for piloting in May last year but was shelved due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

The exercise is to be conducted in schools during the official working hours between 8.00 am and 5.00 am.