Why TSC won’t let some teachers work in secondary schools even though they have degrees.

Why TSC won’t let some teachers work in secondary schools even though they have degrees.

The Teacher Service Commission (TSC) has rules that all secondary school teachers must follow.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) says that there are over 300,000 teachers in Kenya, making it one of the most popular jobs in the country.

The Constitution of Kenya sets up the Teachers Service Commission of Kenya as an independent body to handle human resources in the education field.

Kenya has three types of teachers: those with a Diploma or Degree in Education, those with ECDE (Early Childhood Development and Education), and those with a Diploma or Degree in Primary Education Teaching.

Each group of these teachers is responsible for different things and needs to meet different standards.

This piece, on the other hand, is about secondary school teachers and the skills they need to have.

The skills for teachers also change over time, just like the lessons they teach. In 2024, TSC has the most up-to-date credentials needed to teach in high schools.

Below, we outline the qualifications needed for various education diplomas and degrees, including specialised programmes for teaching visually and hearing impaired students.

Diploma in education

1. Minimum grade of C+ in KCSE and above
2. C+ (plus) in the two subjects of specialisation
3. At least C plain in English
4. C (plain) in Mathematics for science-based courses
5. D+ (plus) in Mathematics for non-science-based courses

Diploma in education for visually and hearing impaired

1. Minimum grade of C Plain in KCSE and above
2. At least C minus in English
3. C (minus) in Mathematics for science-based courses
4. D (plain) in Mathematics for non-science-based courses

Bachelor of education

1. Minimum mean grade of C+ (plus) and above or its equivalent
2. C+ (plus) in two subjects of specialisation

For those interested in a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, the requirements are:

1. Minimum grade of C+ in KCSE and above
2. C+ (plus) in the two subjects of specialisation
3. Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) for those who wish to transition into teaching roles

While some degree holders may aspire to become secondary education teachers, the KCSE mean grade can sometimes be a limitation, as the TSC insists on a C+ grade, while some degree holders have below the required grade.

Approved teaching combinations by the TSC for secondary schools

Sciences

1. Chemistry and Biology
2. Chemistry and Physics
3. Agriculture and Geography
4. Biology and Geography
5. Home Science and Biology
6. Physics and Computer
7. Agriculture and Biology
8. Agriculture and Chemistry

Languages

1. English and Literature
2. Kiswahili and CRE
3. Kiswahili and History
4. Kiswahili and Geography
5. German and Geography
6. German and CRE
7. Kiswahili and IRE
8. Kiswahili and Home science
9. Kiswahili and P.E.
10. French and Geography
11. French and Business Studies
12. French and CRE
13. French and History
14. Arabic and IRE
15. German and History

Mathematics

1. Mathematics and Business Studies
2. Mathematics and Geography
3. Mathematics and Computer
4. Mathematics and Chemistry
5. Mathematics and Biology
6. Mathematics and Physics

Humanities

1. Geography and CRE
2. History and CRE
3. Geography and History
4. Geography and IRE
5. History and IRE
6. History and P.E.
7. Geography and P.E.
8. Geography and Business Studies
9. Home Science and History
10. Home Science and CRE
11. Special Needs and P.E.
12. Music and P.E.

Technicals

1. Metal Work and Mathematics
2. Metal Work and Physics
3. Woodwork and Mathematics
4. Woodwork and Physics
5. Electricity and Mathematics
6. Electricity and Physics
7. Fine Arts and History Fine
8. Art and Geography
9. Art & Design and History
10. Art & Design and Geography
11. Kiswahili and Home science
12. Kiswahili and PE

Why TSC won’t let some teachers work in secondary schools even though they have degrees.