TSC Bans 21 Degree Programs from Teaching Eligibility, PGDE Not a Remedy [List].
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced that individuals trained in academic disciplines not featured in the current Curriculum will no longer qualify for recruitment as secondary school teachers. This restriction applies even to those who have pursued a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) or enhancement programs in an effort to meet qualification standards.
According to the TSC, having additional pedagogical training does not override the curriculum-based subject requirements. The Commission clarified that secondary school teaching eligibility is strictly determined by whether a candidate’s academic background aligns with subjects offered within the official curriculum.
List of Disqualified Degree Areas
The directive targets graduates holding Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degrees in fields not represented in the secondary curriculum. These include, but are not limited to, degrees in:
- Natural Resources,
- Horticulture,
- Fisheries,
- Meteorology,
- Farm Machinery,
- Anthropology,
- Forestry,
- Sociology,
- Biotechnology,
- Animal Husbandry,
- Journalism, and
- Theology or Divinity.
- Banking and Finance
- Genomics
- Actuarial Science
- Environmental Science
- Criminology
- Engineering-Related Courses
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Foods, Nutrition, and Dietetics
- Microbiology
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TSC boss Dr. Nancy Macharia emphasized that such qualifications fall outside the approved teaching scope for secondary schools, and efforts to bridge the gap with education diplomas or enhancement programs do not suffice. SHe added that the commission must align teacher recruitment strictly with national education needs to maintain curriculum integrity.
The TSC further explained that this measure aims to ensure that recruited teachers possess academic foundations directly relevant to subjects taught in schools. This move is part of the Commission’s commitment to uphold education quality and curricular consistency.
Subject Qualifications for Teacher Employment
Business and Religious Studies Eligibility
Applicants holding degrees in Economics, Commerce, or Accounting are eligible to teach Business Studies. Similarly, those with qualifications in Social Education and Ethics (SEE) may apply to teach either Christian Religious Education (CRE) or Islamic Religious Education (IRE).
English and Literature Teaching Conditions
Diploma holders with combinations such as English and another subject may qualify to teach both English and Literature, provided they have completed sufficient coursework in both Language and Literature. A senior official from the Teachers Service Commission emphasized, “We are only approving those with enough academic coverage in both components.”
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KCSE Subject Requirements
All applicants must have taken both teaching subjects during the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination. Exceptions are allowed for Computer Studies, Business Studies, Home Science, and Agriculture. Applicants who did not study Business Studies or Computer Studies must have earned at least a C+ grade in Mathematics. For those who missed Agriculture or Home Science, a minimum of C+ in Biology is required.
Graduate Teacher Course Units and Practice
Graduate teachers must have completed at least eight course units in each of their two teaching subjects. Furthermore, they are required to have undertaken Special Methods training for both subjects, in addition to completing a teaching practice of not less than three months.
Enhancement and Subject Coverage
Enhancement certificates and academic transcripts will only be considered if the applicant did not meet the minimum subject unit requirements during their degree or diploma program. A TSC evaluator stated, “Enhancement is acceptable only when it bridges clearly defined academic gaps.”
Third Subject Option Criteria
Those who selected a third teaching subject must provide evidence of completing all course units related to the subject over four years. This must include Special Methods training and teaching practice. Applicants must also verify they have met the approved credit hours for the entire course.
Special Needs Education Subject Recognition
Kenya Sign Language (KSL) and Braille are recognized as valid teaching subjects within Special Needs Education. Combinations such as Biology/KSL and Geography/Braille are acceptable for employment purposes.
Acceptance of New Learning Areas
Applicants who have studied new learning areas under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC)—such as Integrated Science, Guidance and Counseling, and Social Studies—are considered eligible for employment.
TSC Secondary Schools Teaching Qualifications for Technical Teachers
To qualify as a teacher under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), technical teachers must meet specific academic criteria. One must hold at least a Mean Grade of C+ (Plus) in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) or its recognized equivalent. Additionally, candidates should have attained at least a C+ (Plus) in the two teaching subjects.
Alternatively, applicants may qualify with one Principal and two Subsidiaries at the ‘A’-Level in the subjects they studied. These qualifications serve as a foundational benchmark for those aspiring to join the technical teaching profession.
A senior official at TSC emphasized the importance of academic rigor, stating that the commission has raised the bar to ensure competent educators in technical institutions.
Acceptable Professional and Technical Qualifications
Once the academic threshold is met, candidates must also possess one of several specified professional or technical qualifications. These include:
- A Bachelor of Education Technology (BEd TECH) degree;
- A Bachelor of Science (BSc) in a relevant technical subject or course;
- A Higher Diploma in a technical course; or
- A Diploma in a technical discipline.
Each of these qualifications is recognized by TSC as a pathway to enter the technical teaching sector, depending on the applicant’s field of specialization.
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Special Requirement for BSc Holders
For those who enter the teaching profession with a Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant technical subject, an additional credential is mandatory. These candidates must have completed a Diploma in Technical Teacher Education. This program must be pursued at the Kenya Technical Trainers College (KTTC), formerly known as the Kenya Technical Teachers College.
A curriculum officer at the KTTC explained that the teaching diploma is crucial in equipping degree holders with the necessary pedagogical skills. They said that technical knowledge alone is not enough—teachers must also know how to transfer that knowledge effectively.
TSC Bans 21 Degree Programs from Teaching Eligibility, PGDE Not a Remedy [List]