Thousands of primary school teachers could soon benefit from a major policy change by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) that will allow educators holding secondary-option degrees to qualify for deployment to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) with a minimum KCSE mean grade of C (plain).
For years, the commission maintained strict requirements for teachers seeking deployment to secondary sections, including a KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus) and at least a C+ in two teaching subjects.
The policy locked out many P1 teachers who had advanced academically but failed to meet the original entry threshold.
The proposed changes come as the commission moves to address a teacher shortage in the JSS section under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The country currently requires about 149,350 teachers for Grades 7, 8, and 9, yet the available workforce stands at nearly 100,000, creating a significant staffing gap.
Under the new proposal, teachers with Bachelor’s degrees in secondary education will qualify for deployment if they attained a C+ in at least one teaching subject, even where their overall KCSE mean grade is C (plain).
Previously, many teachers were forced to pursue additional diploma qualifications to meet deployment requirements.
The proposed regulations also revise the minimum requirements for registration of secondary school teachers.
Diploma teachers in secondary education will now qualify for registration if they hold a Diploma Certificate in Education, attained a KCSE mean grade of C (plain), and secured at least a C+ in one teaching subject.
For persons living with disabilities, the minimum requirement will remain a KCSE mean grade of C (plain) and a C in one teaching subject.
To formalize the changes, the Commission has already initiated stakeholder consultations aimed at amending Regulation 20 of the Code of Regulations for Teachers (CORT).
On May 14, 2026, a public participation forum was held at the Kenya Institute of Special Education before the proposed amendments are forwarded to Parliament for approval.
The deployment exercise will continue through the TSC online application system.
Teachers seeking deployment will be required to present original academic certificates and transcripts, KCSE certificates, current payslips, and clearance letters from their heads of institutions confirming they are actively serving and free from disciplinary cases.
The commission indicated that priority will be given to teachers serving near their current stations to minimize disruptions.
Officials have also been directed to balance subject combinations and ensure gender representation during postings.
Teachers with Special Needs Education qualifications will receive priority consideration for special junior schools.
TSC further stated that deployed teachers will receive grade adjustments based on their academic qualifications.
Degree holders currently serving under B5/C1 grades are expected to move to C2, while diploma holders will also receive corresponding grade reviews.
Despite the optimism surrounding the changes, concerns remain among teachers over delayed promotions and salary adjustments.
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Some educators say promotions to Grade C3 after the required three years of service have stalled, while others report delays before revised salaries reflect on their payslips after deployment.
Teachers are now urging the Commission to automate salary upgrades immediately after deployment to ensure timely pay adjustments.
By Kithinji Njeru
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