New Horizon: TSC Moves to Relax KCSE Grade Barriers for P1 Deployment to Junior Secondary
NAIROBI, Kenya — In a move set to unlock career progression for thousands of educators, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is finalizing a policy shift that will allow primary school teachers holding secondary-option degrees to be deployed to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) with a minimum KCSE mean grade of C (plain).
For years, the Commission maintained a rigid requirement of a C+ (plus) mean grade in KCSE and at least a C+ (plus) in two teaching subjects.
This strict barrier had sidelined many dedicated P1 teachers who had furthered their education but remained tethered to primary schools due to their original KCSE grades.
The Policy Shift: A Response to JSS Staffing Demands
With the JSS section—covering Grades 7, 8, and 9—requiring a staggering 149,350 teachers to meet national curriculum standards, the TSC is aggressively expanding its talent pool.
The current workforce of approximately 100,000 teachers is insufficient to handle the growing learner population, prompting this move toward more inclusive entry requirements.
Under the proposed amendments, P1 teachers who hold a Bachelor’s degree (secondary option) and possess at least a C+ (plus) in at least one teaching subject will be eligible for deployment, even if their overall KCSE mean grade is a C (plain).
Previously, these educators were often forced to seek additional diplomas in secondary education just to be considered for a transfer.
TSC MINIMUM REQUIREMENT FOR REGISTERING SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN NEW LAW
Diploma in Secondary Education
A person qualifies for registration as a diploma teacher in Secondary Education (DE) if the person
(a) Holds a Diploma Certificate in Education;
(b) Obtains a minimum mean grade of C (Plain) in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education or its equivalent; and
(c) Obtains a minimum mean grade of C+ (Plus) in one teaching subject; or
(d) Obtains a minimum mean grade of C (Plain) at Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education or its equivalent and C (Plain) in one teaching subject for applicants registered as Persons with disability
Stakeholder Engagement and Legal Formalization
To facilitate these changes, the TSC has launched a high-level Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum to deliberate on amendments to Regulation 20 of the Code of Regulations for Teachers (CORT).
On May 14, 2026, the Commission held a public participation forum at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) to gather input before presenting the amendments to Parliament for approval.
These amendments are designed to align teacher registration and deployment frameworks with the demands of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), giving the TSC the legal mandate to institutionalize these lower grade requirements.
Deployment Process and Requirements
The TSC has emphasized that deployment remains a continuous exercise.
Once the legal framework is fully formalized, eligible teachers are expected to apply via the TSC Online Portal.
Verification Procedure: Upon online application, candidates will be invited by Sub-County Directors for physical verification. Teachers must present:
- Original and copies of Degree/Diploma certificates and academic transcripts.
- Original KCSE certificate.
- Current payslip.
- A declaration from their Head of Institution confirming they are currently in service and free of disciplinary action or interdiction.
Deployment Guidelines:
Proximity: TSC will prioritize retaining teachers in their current stations or those in close proximity.
Subject Balance: Sub-County Directors are instructed to avoid “doubling up” on subject combinations unless the station’s workload requires it.
Gender and SNE: Posting will aim for gender balance, and teachers with Special Needs Education (SNE) qualifications will be prioritized for special junior schools.
Addressing Concerns: Promotion and Pay
As the deployment rolls out, the Commission has provided clear directives on grade adjustments:
Degree Holders (B5/C1 to C2): Teachers moving to JSS will be upgraded to the appropriate grade level.
Diploma Holders (B5 to C1): Grade adjustments will reflect the teacher’s qualification level.
Despite the optimism surrounding this policy, concerns persist.
Many teachers have expressed frustration over instances where promotion to Grade C3—after three years of service as per the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG)—has been delayed.
Others have reported significant lags, sometimes exceeding seven months, in the reflection of new salary points on their payslips following deployment.
Educators are calling on the TSC to automate salary adjustments to ensure that pay parity is achieved immediately upon the commencement of duties in the JSS section.