TSC’s proposed recruitment reforms could unlock thousands of teachers for Junior Schools

• TSC has proposed amendments to its teacher registration and deployment regulations that could widen the pool of educators eligible to teach in junior schools, offering a practical response to the country’s persistent teacher shortage.

• The move according to Mitei is relax the requirements for Junior School teachers.

Kenya’s education sector could be on the verge of one of its most significant teacher recruitment reforms since the introduction of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has proposed amendments to its teacher registration and deployment regulations that could widen the pool of educators eligible to teach in junior schools, offering a practical response to the country’s persistent teacher shortage.

The proposed changes centre on Regulation 20 of the TSC Code of Regulations for Teachers, which currently requires teachers seeking deployment to Junior School to have attained a minimum Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) mean grade of C+ (plus), alongside a C+ in at least two teaching subjects.

These requirements have, for years, excluded many experienced primary school teachers who later upgraded their academic and professional qualifications.

Speaking during a stakeholder engagement forum at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), Acting TSC Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei indicated that the Commission is considering relaxing the requirements.

Under the proposal, teachers holding a Diploma in Education, a KCSE mean grade of C (plain), and a C+ in at least one teaching subject would qualify for registration and deployment to Junior school, subject to the approval of the revised regulations.

ALSO READ:

Evans Kipkosgei: The professional volleyball coach driving Cheptalal Girls’ FEASSSA dream

If adopted, the reforms would significantly expand the number of eligible teachers at a time when Kenya is grappling with an acute shortage of junior school educators. As Grade 7, Grade 8 and Grade 9 continue to expand under the Competency-Based Education system, schools across the country have struggled to secure enough subject teachers.

According to TSC estimates, the country currently faces a deficit of more than 72,000 junior school teachers. Although the government has recruited over 100,000 teachers during the past three years, staffing levels remain inadequate due to increasing enrolment and the specialised subject demands of junior school.

The challenge was further compounded after the Court of Appeal declared the engagement of thousands of graduate teachers on internship terms unconstitutional, ruling that the prolonged internship arrangement amounted to unfair labour practice.

The decision placed additional pressure on the Commission to explore sustainable staffing alternatives while remaining within available budgetary allocations.

The proposed regulatory changes therefore represent a strategic shift. Rather than relying solely on recruiting new graduates, TSC would also draw from a large pool of serving primary school teachers who have upgraded their qualifications but have remained ineligible because of the existing KCSE subject requirements.

Education stakeholders have largely welcomed the proposal, arguing that competence should not be judged solely by KCSE grades attained many years earlier. Many diploma and degree holders have since demonstrated their professional capability through years of classroom experience, continuous professional development and further academic training.

ALSO READ:

Don’t let others define you—Write your own story

Supporters further argue that the reform aligns with the practical realities of implementing CBE, which requires flexible deployment of qualified teachers across different learning areas.

Allowing more teachers to qualify for junior school deployment could ease the workload currently borne by existing teachers while improving subject coverage in public schools.

However, some education experts caution that the relaxation of entry requirements should not compromise quality. They argue that any deployment should continue to be guided by subject mastery, professional competence and targeted in-service training to ensure learners receive quality instruction.

The proposal is currently undergoing public participation, after which it will be considered for parliamentary approval. If approved, TSC is expected to establish an online application system through which eligible teachers will apply for deployment and be matched to vacancies across counties.

For thousands of diploma-qualified teachers who have long remained locked out by the current regulations, the proposed amendments could finally open the door to career progression. For schools struggling with teacher shortages, the reforms could provide much-needed relief.

Ultimately, the proposed policy reflects a broader shift towards balancing academic entry qualifications with professional competence and classroom experience. If successfully implemented, it could become one of the most consequential reforms in supporting the effective implementation of Competency-Based Education in Kenya.

By Hillary Muhalya