TSC releases list of 38,849 primary school teachers for World Bank funded upgrading programme to prepare them for CBC in junior secondary schools. But a last minute change in eligibility criteria has left thousands of teachers frustrated.
The Eligibility Discrepancy
The upgrading programme is to equip teachers with advanced pedagogical skills, assessment strategies and technology integration for the new curriculum. The point of contention is the KCSE mean grade:
| Initial Expectation (Based on Previous TSC Communication) | Current Requirement (Based on Latest TSC Memo) |
| KCSE Mean Grade: C (plain) and above | KCSE Mean Grade: C+ (plus) and above |
| Subject Requirement (Unchanged): C+ in two teaching subjects | Subject Requirement (Unchanged): C+ in two teaching subjects |
The latest memo dated September 18, 2025 lists only teachers with a mean grade of C+ to A, effectively excluding P1 teachers who scored a C (plain). Many of these teachers who had already submitted their details for verification are now in limbo and fear they will be locked out of the training that is set to begin in November.
TSC’s Rationale and Verification Process
TSC’s decision to raise the bar to C+ is in line with the traditional minimum entry requirement for teaching in secondary schools which some experts argue is necessary to maintain teaching standards for junior secondary classes.
TSC has directed its Regional and County Directors to strictly verify the details of the 38,849 shortlisted teachers to prevent errors and ensure all qualifications (names, registration numbers, etc.) align with official TSC records.
The professional development areas to be covered in the training are:
- Learner-centered teaching methodologies.
- Assessment strategies.
- Integration of technology in teaching.
- Support for junior school learners during their transition from upper primary.
Stakeholder Reaction and Potential Impact
Exclusion of C (plain) grade teachers has drawn criticism from teacher unions including KNUT. Critics argue that many of the excluded teachers have extensive classroom experience and proven competence which should supersede the KCSE mean grade especially for an upgrade programme.KNUT will push for the reversal of the C (plain) criteria, warning that this could lead to:
- Massive demoralization of experienced teachers.
- Staffing gaps in junior secondary schools and affect the smooth implementation of CBC.
This will not only affect the current training but also set a precedent for future professional development and teacher qualifications under the new curriculum framework and those involving international partners like World Bank.