Tag Archives: tsc news today kenya

Secondary school teachers to handle 3 mandatory subjects, have ICT skills

Secondary school teachers will now be expected to teach three (3) subjects; up from the current two. This is according to the latest recommendations by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

“Teachers at this level (secondary school) will teach three subjects at Junior and Senior secondary,” reads the TSC framework document on entry requirements in the teaching service.

Currently, all secondary school teachers handle two subjects apart from those handling English.

Additionally, all teachers must now have Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills.

In another move that will lock out many KCSE students hoping to undertake teaching courses, the Commission has reviewed the minimum teaching subjects’ grades. Whereas TSC wants the minimum entry mean grade at KCSE retained at C+ (plus), a teacher must have a B-(Minus) in three teaching subjects.

Currently, the minimum teaching subject requirement is a C+ (plus).

The study period at university would also be reduced to three years; down from the current four years. The Commission wants teachers to undertake a Bachelor of Arts or Science Degree for 3 years and Post Graduate Diploma in Education, PGDE, for one year on Teacher Education.

Further, students who have undertaken courses(Diploma or degrees) without the minimum entry requirements (who enrolled, who trained and graduated in them) do not qualify for registration and employment by the TSC.

TSC proposes that the above minimum requirements be used as a basis for admission into Teacher Education at the various levels from September 2021.

In addition to the requirements above, the following shall be required before a teacher is registered by the Commission: –

  • Certificate of Good Conduct; applicants shall be required to present a valid certificate of good conduct upon application for registration.
  • Certificate in Integration of ICT in education; Evidence of training in ICT skills
  • Compliance to chapter six of the Constitution:Tax Compliance Certificate (KRA), Certificate of good conduct (DCI), Higher Education Loan clearance certificate (HELB), EACC clearance and Credit Reference Certificate (CRB)
  • ECDE applicants with certificates from other bodies other than KNEC and MOE should have their certificates equated by KNEC.
  • Applicants with foreign Degrees and Diplomas in education should have their documents equated by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) respectively.

LIST OF BANNED COURSES BY TSC

Applicants for registration whose training is in subjects that are currently NOT in the curriculum do not qualify irrespective of having undertaken a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) and/ or Enhancement.

This category includes but not limited to Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in:

  • Natural resources
  • Meteorology
  • Forestry
  • Animal husbandry
  • Horticulture
  • Farm machinery
  • Fisheries
  • Anthropology
  • Sociology
  • Theology/Divinity
  • Journalism
  • Kiswahili and Communication
  • Business Management / Administration
  • Banking  and Finance

This category includes but not limited to Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in:

  1. Genomics
  2. Actuarial Science
  3. Environmental Science
  4. Criminology
  5. Biotechnology and  Agriculture
  6. All Courses related to  Engineering
  7. Industrial Chemistry
  8. Biochemistry
  9. Hospitality and tourism
  10. Foods , Nutrition and Dietetics
  11. Technology and applied  Biology
  12. Microbiology etc.

Those who have undertaken a PGDE with these courses are NOT eligible for registration as teachers.

These courses do not provide sufficient subject content and therefore the mastery of the content in two teaching subjects is not adequate as required.

Posts with related information

New TSC entry qualifications for teachers (Bachelor of Education Science and Arts Degrees to be scrapped)

TSC latest requirements for teachers (Must read before you pursue a Diploma or Degree Course in Education)

Current TSC requirements for education (teaching) courses/programmes in Kenya

TSC teachers recruitment guidelines, marking schemes and score-sheets (Secondary and primary)

TSC Teacher New Minimum Requirements (Primary schools)

Secondary School Teachers New TSC Registration Requirements

New TSC recruitment guidelines for teachers; Latest score sheet, marking scheme

New TSC Certificate registration requirements and procedure for ECDE, PTE, Diploma, and Graduate teachers

TSC requirements for primary teachers and details on the new Diploma in Primary Teacher Education Course (DPTE)

Requirements for TSC Biometric Enrollment and Validation Of Teachers (BEVOT)

TSC- Requirements, responsibilities and appointment criteria for Secondary School Principals

TSC Expels 69 Teachers

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has taken disciplinary action against more than 100 teachers accused of abusing learners, as the agency intensifies efforts to root out sexual misconduct and immoral behavior in schools.

Appearing before the Senate Education Committee in Mombasa, TSC Director of Legal, Labour and Industrial Relations Cavin Anyuor, revealed that the commission has received 111 cases since January 2024, involving allegations such as sexual intercourse with learners, flirtation, molestation, lesbianism and pornography.

“Out of the 111 cases, 69 teachers were dismissed and deregistered, meaning they can no longer teach anywhere in the world. Their teaching licenses have been permanently revoked,” Mr Anyuor said.

Another nine teachers were dismissed, meaning they cannot work under TSC, although their licenses were not revoked. Twenty-five others were suspended, with the possibility of returning to service after the suspension period.

The official noted that the 25 suspended teachers may return to TSC depending on the length and outcome of their suspension.

The commission also dealt with one intern found guilty of misconduct and removed from the register.

“There is one intern teacher… even interns are not exempt. One went overboard and was also removed from the register,” Mr Anyuor added.

He further noted that four teachers were acquitted, having their interdictions revoked, while three cases were dropped after the implicated teachers died before facing disciplinary hearings.

“In four cases, the teachers were found to be innocent and their interdictions revoked. Three cases were cancelled because, by the time we called the teachers for disciplinary proceedings, they had passed away. That is how the 111 cases have been handled,” he said.

TSC has implemented a strict code of regulations outlining severe disciplinary consequences for offences involving learner abuse.

“Such cases attract the most severe punishment under the teacher discipline framework,” said Mr Anyuor.

He said that the TSC remains committed to protecting learners and upholding professional standards in the teaching service, assuring the public of a fair but firm disciplinary process in handling cases, particularly those involving abuse of learners.

Sexual abuse cases

Mr Anyuor added that all 111 cases received since January 2024 were handled through a “fair legal process backed by evidence.”

“Where evidence shows a teacher has no case to answer, we let them go. Not all are guilty — at least four were cleared and walked scot-free. We attempt to be fair but remain very firm on learner abuse,” he said.

He reiterated that learners are strictly prohibited from visiting teachers’ houses and urged immediate reporting of any violations or suspicions of misconduct.

To strengthen accountability, the official noted that TSC has enacted strict regulations and administrative circulars, including Circular No. 3 of 2010, which requires incidents of learner abuse to be reported within 24 hours. The circular also criminalises the suppression or concealment of such information by teachers.

The commission has enhanced reporting channels, establishing a free hotline and a public email address that enable anonymous reporting of sexual abuse cases.

“These platforms allow swift action, and one no longer needs to physically visit a school or TSC office to lodge a complaint,” he added.

Mr Anyuor said both state and non-state actors, along with members of the public, have embraced these digital platforms, significantly improving the commission’s response time and accountability.

To further protect whistleblowers, TSC has implemented an Integrity Policy that shields individuals reporting abuse or misconduct from retaliation or other negative consequences.

“There has been an increase in the number of cases reported by members of the public and stakeholders beyond the traditional communication channels,” he said

He noted that while some reports turn out to be fabricated or driven by internal school conflicts, many others raise genuine concerns that require urgent intervention.

He also revealed that the commission receives numerous anonymous reports of child abuse in schools, with some teachers accused of sexual exploitation attempting to interfere with investigations.

He reiterated that the TSC is committed to protecting learners and will continue to refine its legal and administrative frameworks to ensure all cases are thoroughly investigated and appropriate action is taken against offenders.