The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has released lists containing names of teachers qualified for World Bank sponsored P1 upgrading programme.
The programme which is planned to kick off immediately after KCSE exams, aims to upgrade primary school teachers so that they can handle junior school classes.
The Commission has forwarded names published in excel sheets to TSC Regional and County Directors as part of preparation for the programme.
Initially TSC sought to upgrade P1 teachers with KCSE mean grade C (plain) and above with at least C+ in two teaching subjects, but later backtracked on this move.
It changed this plan by listing only teachers who scored KCSE mean grade C+ and above with at least C+ in two teaching subjects.
A total 38,849 P1 teachers were cleared to start the programme that aims to upgrade their Primary Teacher Education (PTE) certificates.
NUMBER OF TEACHERS SELECTED PER COUNTY
- Kakamega: 4,169
- Bungoma: 2,208
- Nakuru: 1,672
- Homa Bay: 1,566
- Kisumu: 1,456
- Makueni: 44
- Lamu: 86
- Marsabit: 130
- Wajir: 151
- Isiolo: 153
- Samburu: 165
- Tana River: 215
- Mombasa: 216
- Mandera: 248
- Laikipia: 292
- Taita-Taveta: 307
- Garissa: 313
- Kirinyaga: 358
- Turkana: 369
- Embu: 481
- Kajiado: 506
- Nairobi: 518
- Tharaka-Nithi: 535
- Nyeri: 554
- Kwale: 578
- Nyamira: 634
- Elgeyo Marakwet: 648
- Kilifi: 688
- Nyandarua: 693
- Baringo: 699
- West Pokot: 776
- Uasin Gishu: 815
- Vihiga: 863
- Kiambu: 879
- Busia: 950
- Trans Nzoia: 1,005
- Kisii: 1,006
- Kitui: 1,014
- Kericho: 1,029
- Bomet: 1,061
- Nandi: 1,101
- Machakos: 1,131
- Narok: 1,150
- Meru: 1,259
- Migori: 1,358
- Siaya: 1,390
- Muranga: 1,410
- TOTAL 38,849.
TSC said the teachers will be instilled with key competencies to allow them teach junior schools in Grades 7, 8 and 9.
“The Commission is committed to ensuring that Junior School level of Education operates at optimum staffing level,” said TSC acting CEO Eveleen Mitei in a circular dated 22nd August.
There are speculations that the participating teachers will be paid some allowance as they continue with training but this has not been confirmed.
However a TSC source said the programme will take shorter time as the teachers already have massive teaching experience in addition to the PTE certificates.
For the P1 teachers, this programme is nothing short of a revolution. An upgrade from a P1 certificate directly translates to career advancement, higher job groups, and significantly improved salaries and benefits.
It represents massive financial relief and professional validation. Morale, which has often wavered due to stagnation, is set to receive a tremendous boost.
Teachers will feel invested in, valued, and recognized for their years of service.
For Students, the benefits are equally clear. A more highly qualified teacher in the classroom is better trained in modern teaching methodologies, child psychology, and subject matter.
This directly enhances the quality of education, improves learning outcomes, and better prepares pupils for the demands of the CBC and the 21st century.
The entire standard of Junior School education is set to be elevated as TSC will easily address its shortage of 72,422 teachers.
For the Education System and the TSC , this is a strategic move towards creating a more robust and professionally respected teaching force.
It alleviates staffing quality issues and reduces the dependency on underqualified teachers. It is a massive step towards achieving the goals of Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on quality education.
The immediate task is clear: regional directors must act with lightning speed to identify every single qualifying teacher within their jurisdiction.
Schools will be abuzz with activity as headteachers verify credentials and teachers scramble to ensure their details are correctly submitted.
Once the data is consolidated, the next steps will involve rolling out the application process, selecting accredited universities and colleges to facilitate the programs, and defining the mode of study—likely a combination of school-based, holiday, and online learning to minimize disruption to teaching.
While challenges in logistics and implementation are inevitable in a program of this scale, the initial action by the TSC demonstrates a decisive commitment.
The message is unequivocal: the upgrade is coming. For the thousands of P1 teachers who have been waiting for a sign, this is it.
Their patience and dedication are finally on the verge of paying off in the biggest way possible.
The classroom of tomorrow is being built today, not with bricks and mortar, but with the promise of empowerment for its most crucial resource.