TSC adopts inclusive language for Special Needs Schools

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has directed all education offices and institutions across the country to adopt new, inclusive terminology when referring to schools that serve learners with special needs.

In an internal memo dated 15 October 2025, the Commission announced an official change from the term “Schools for the Mentally Handicapped Learners” to “Schools for Learners with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.”

The memo, addressed to directors at national, regional, county and sub-county levels, follows guidance from the Ministry of Education (MoE) after education stakeholders and members of the public raised concerns.

According to the Commission, the previously used terminology was found to be not only demeaning but also inconsistent with Kenya’s constitutional values, statutory provisions, and international obligations.

TSC cited Kenya’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), Article 8(1)(b), which emphasises respect for the dignity of persons with disabilities and the elimination of harmful stereotypes and language.

The Ministry of Education Circular Ref. No. MOE.HQS/3/6/67 dated 7 October 2025 formally directed that all such institutions be referred to using the new terminology.

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“The continued use of outdated and offensive terms undermines inclusion and respect for learners with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” the memo states.

The Commission emphasised that language plays a critical role in shaping attitudes and promoting dignity within the education system.

TSC has instructed all officers under its jurisdiction to circulate the directive to learning institutions and ensure the change is effectively communicated, implemented and monitored.

This includes official correspondence, school records, reports, and public communication.

Disability rights advocates and education stakeholders have widely welcomed the move as a progressive step toward inclusive education.

It signals a broader commitment by education authorities to protect learners’ rights, promote respect, and align Kenya’s education system with global best practices on disability inclusion.

By Kithinji Njeru