In accordance to Article 237 (2) of the Kenya Constitution 2010, Teachers Service Commission has a Constitutional mandate to among other functions, register qualified teachers and review the quality of education and training of persons entering the teaching service.
In addition to section 23 (2) of the Teachers Service Commission Act, 2012 provides that;
“A person shall not engage in the teaching service unless such person is registered as a teacher under the Act”.
The above stated requirement applies to both public and private learning institutions.
The official requirements for registration as a teacher are provided for in Legal Notice No. 50 of 2016 (The Teachers Service Commission Code of Regulations for Teachers (Amendments), 2016).
TSC Defined Minimum Academic and Professional Requirements for Registration of Teachers
1.ECDE Teachers Registration Requirements
a) for Certificate
i. Have a Minimum of CPE/KCPE plus ECDE Certificate from KNEC.
ii. Have Minimum mean grade D+(Plus) at KCSE and ECDE Certificate from KNEC.
iii. Have Minimum mean grade D (Plain) at KCSE, KNEC proficiency certificate, ECDE Certificate from KNEC Diploma.
b) For Diploma
i. One must have Mean grade C (Plain) at KCSE and ECDE Certificate from KNEC.
ii.Also have Mean grade C+ (Plus) and above for University Diploma.
c) for the Degree
i)have a minimum Mean grade C+ (Plus) and above
2.PTE teachers Requirements for Registration
One must:
i. Have a Minimum grade C Plain in KCSE and above
ii. Have a PTE Certificate from KNEC
iii. Have a Mean grade of C- (minus) for visually and hearing impaired persons
3.Diploma in Education
One must :
i.Have a Minimum grade C+( Plus) in KCSE and above and C+ (Plus) in the two subjects specialization
ii. Have At least C (Plain) in English
iii.Have C (plain) in Mathematics for Science-based courses
iv.Have D+( plus) in Mathematics in non-science based courses
4.Diploma in Education for Visually and hearing impaired
One must:
i. Have a Minimum grade C (Plain) in KCSE and above.
ii. Have At least C Minus in English
iii.Have a C- (Minus) in Mathematics for Science based courses
iv. Have D (Plain) in Mathematics in non-science based courses
5.Bachelor of Education
Inorder to qualify one must:
i. Have Minimum KCSE mean grade C+ (plus) and above or its equivalent
ii.Have a C+ (Plus) in two subjects of specialization
6.Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science
Individuals must :
i. Have a Minimum grade C+ (Plus) in KCSE and above and C+ (Plus) in the two subjects of specialization
ii. Have a Post graduate Diploma in Education(PGDE)