The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has proposed lowering the deployment requirements for primary school teachers transitioning to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS). This policy adjustment is intended to address a staffing shortage within the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) framework.
Revised Academic Requirements
According to the proposed guidelines, primary school educators with secondary-option Bachelor’s degrees will be eligible for JSS deployment if they hold a minimum Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) mean grade of C (plain) and at least a C+ in one teaching subject. The previous requirements mandated a minimum KCSE mean grade of C+ and a C+ in two teaching subjects. This adjustment will accommodate P1 teachers who have obtained higher academic qualifications but did not meet the previous KCSE grade criteria. The JSS section, comprising Grades 7, 8, and 9, currently requires approximately 149,350 teachers, while the current workforce is estimated at 100,000, creating a deficit of nearly 50,000 educators.
Accommodations for Diploma Holders and Special Needs
The proposed changes also apply to diploma holders. Teachers with a Diploma Certificate in Education will be eligible for registration with a KCSE mean grade of C (plain) and a C+ in one teaching subject. For educators with disabilities, the requirement is adjusted to a KCSE mean grade of C (plain) and a C in one teaching subject. The TSC discussed these amendments during a public participation forum at the Kenya Institute of Special Education on May 14, 2026. The proposed changes to Regulation 20 of the Code of Regulations for Teachers (CORT) are expected to be submitted to Parliament for approval.
Application Process
The deployment application process will continue to be managed through the TSC online portal. Applicants are required to provide original academic certificates, official transcripts, recent payslips, and clearance letters from their institutions verifying the absence of disciplinary issues.