Addressing Staffing Shortages in Junior Secondary Schools
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has introduced a proposal to adjust the deployment requirements for primary school teachers transitioning into Junior Secondary Schools (JSS). This policy revision aims to mitigate a significant staffing deficit within the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) system. Currently, the JSS level, which encompasses Grades 7, 8, and 9, requires an estimated 149,350 teachers. With the active workforce standing at approximately 100,000, there is a shortfall of nearly 50,000 educators.
Proposed Changes to Academic Criteria
Under the new guidelines, primary school teachers holding secondary-option Bachelor’s degrees will qualify for JSS deployment if they possess a minimum Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) mean grade of C (plain), alongside at least a C+ in one teaching subject. Previously, the TSC required a KCSE mean grade of C+ and a C+ in two teaching subjects. This modification is expected to integrate P1 teachers who advanced their academic qualifications but fell short of the prior KCSE mean grade threshold.
Guidelines for Diploma Holders and Educators with Disabilities
The updated criteria also extend to diploma holders. Educators with a Diploma in Education will be eligible for registration provided they have a KCSE mean grade of C (plain) and a C+ in a single teaching subject. For teachers with disabilities, the entry requirement has been set to a KCSE mean grade of C (plain) with a C (plain) in one teaching subject. These regulatory adjustments, specifically amending Regulation 20 of the Code of Regulations for Teachers (CORT), were reviewed during a public participation forum at the Kenya Institute of Special Education on May 14, 2026. The finalized proposals will subsequently be forwarded to Parliament for approval.
Application Procedure
The application process for deployment remains digital and will be administered via the official TSC online portal. Prospective candidates must submit original academic certificates, official university transcripts, recent payslips, and required clearance letters from their current institutions to successfully complete their applications.