TSC Proposes Lowering Teacher Training Entry Grade From C+

The Teachers Service Commission has proposed lowering the minimum KCSE grade required for several teacher training courses from C+ to C plain in new regulations released in 2026.

The changes are contained in the proposed Teachers Service Commission Code of Regulations for Teachers (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, which seek to revise qualifications for teacher registration and training in Kenya.

If approved, the new rules will allow thousands of KCSE candidates who scored C plain to qualify for diploma teacher training courses, unlike before, when many education programmes required a minimum grade of C+.

Diploma Courses to Admit Students with C Plain in New TSC Proposal

According to the proposed regulations, students seeking to pursue Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE) and Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education (DECTE) will only need a minimum KCSE mean grade of C plain.

Applicants living with disabilities will qualify for the same programmes with a minimum grade of C- minus.

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The commission has also proposed similar requirements for Diploma in Technical Teacher Education, Diploma in Special Needs Education, and Diploma in Secondary Education courses.

However, candidates enrolling for secondary school teaching programmes will still be required to score at least C+ in the subjects they intend to teach.

For example, a person applying for a Diploma in Secondary Teacher Education (DSTE) must have a minimum mean grade of C plain but obtain at least C+ in two teaching subjects.

At the same time, the commission has maintained the current C+ entry requirement for degree programmes such as Bachelor of Education courses.

Under the proposed regulations, students pursuing a Bachelor of Education Arts, Science, Special Needs Education, Technology, Guidance and Counselling, and Early Childhood Education must still have a KCSE mean grade of C+ and above.

New CBC Pathways Introduced

The draft rules also introduce new learning pathways linked to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

TSC has included definitions for “Age-based pathway” and “Stage-based pathway” to guide learning for regular learners and learners with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

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Additionally, the commission has outlined registration requirements for Kenyan teachers trained abroad and foreign nationals seeking to work as teachers in Kenya.

Foreign-trained teachers will be required to have their academic and professional certificates recognised by the relevant Kenyan authorities before registration.

The regulations further provide transitional clauses protecting individuals who had already qualified for teacher registration under previous rules issued in 2015.

The regulations were signed by acting TSC Chief Executive Officer Evaleen J. Mitei and TSC Chairperson Dr. Jamleck Muturi.

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Photo of teachers during a meeting at State House, Nairobi. PHOTO/PCS