PSC issues mandatory training and certificate review for civil servants
Public Service Commission (PSC) mandates mandatory training and certificate review for civil servants as 113,000 government posts remain unfilled
Public Service Commission (PSC) mandates mandatory training and certificate review for civil servants as 113,000 government posts remain unfilled.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has revealed that over 113,000 government positions remain unfilled across public institutions, raising concerns about human resource shortages in critical sectors while directing all public institutions to authenticate the academic and professional certificates of their employees.
In its latest report on compliance with the values and principles outlined in Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution for the financial year 2023/2024, the PSC highlighted widespread gaps in governance, ethics, and accountability standards across ministries, state departments, and agencies.
In the report, released on Tuesday, March 11, in the government publication MyGov, the Commission urged institutions to institutionalise the verification of certificates at both entry-level and promotional appointments to curb cases of forged qualifications within the civil service.
According to the PSC report, a total of 310,735 posts were approved across 309 evaluated institutions, of which 197,395 (63.5 percent) were filled, leaving 113,340 (36.5 percent) vacant.
The Commission has recommended urgent action to fill these gaps, particularly in technical fields where shortages threaten service delivery.
One of the key findings of the report is that only 70.5 per cent of public institutions conducted certificate authentication exercises, with 1,019 employees found to have fake documents. Of these, 744 officers faced disciplinary action. To enhance accountability, the PSC has directed all government entities to complete the authentication of their staff’s qualifications and implement a system for continuous monitoring.
In addition to certificate verification, the PSC has mandated all public institutions to ensure that employees registered under professional bodies maintain an active practice status.
This requirement is expected to impact professionals in regulated fields such as law, medicine, and engineering, ensuring that only qualified personnel hold public office.
Furthermore, the report has emphasised the need for all civil servants to undergo training on the Public Service Code of Conduct and Ethics 2016. Institutions have until 30 June to sensitise their staff and commit them to upholding public service ethics.
The PSC also flagged cases of officers working beyond the mandatory retirement age, with some continuing in public service despite having reached the statutory retirement threshold. The report recommends strict adherence to retirement regulations to create opportunities for younger professionals and ensure a smooth transition in government departments.
To improve service delivery, the Commission has urged all institutions to document, automate, and migrate their processes to digital platforms. It has further recommended the establishment of service charters and mechanisms to ensure responsiveness and efficiency in public service operations.
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The findings also indicate disparities in employment, with 141,628 (61.1 percent) of public officers aged between 19 and 46, while the average age of civil servants stands at 42.8 years. The PSC has called for structured succession planning to prevent future workforce crises in government institutions.
The Commission further noted that only 46.6 percent of professionals attended Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training in the last financial year. It has recommended mandatory participation in CPD programmes to enhance skills and competencies in the public service.
In a bid to curb unethical practices, the report recommends that all public institutions strengthen governance structures, establish anti-corruption mechanisms, and ensure transparency in recruitment and promotions.
The PSC has urged institutions to fully implement the Public Participation Bill and the Conflict of Interest Management Bill to enhance accountability.
As part of the compliance measures, public institutions have also been directed to standardise the employment process by ensuring all recruits sign performance contracts upon appointment.
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