A section of Teachers Service Commission building
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has introduced two major reforms in 2025 that are reshaping the teaching profession in Kenya. First, Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers have been onboarded into the TSC Online Teacher Transfer System for the very first time, making the transfer process more transparent and efficient. Second, in a letter dated 13th August 2025, the Commission formally confirmed that Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) graduates will now be eligible for registration after three calendar years of study, provided they meet the required coursework and teaching practice.
These reforms are part of TSC’s digital and academic transformation agenda under the #TransformingTheCommission campaign, which seeks to enhance efficiency, fairness, and teacher welfare.
1. JSS Teachers Onboarded to the Online Transfer System
For years, the teacher transfer process in Kenya has been criticized for being slow, bureaucratic, and opaque. JSS teachers in particular have faced unique challenges since the rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), including being redeployed to schools far from their families, forced into hardship areas, or serving in dual teaching roles due to staffing shortages.
The new TSC Online Transfer Module allows teachers to:
- Apply for transfers through the TSC portal.
- Specify their preferred station and county.
- Upload supporting documents where necessary.
- Track their applications in real-time.
Teachers now receive SMS updates on the progress of their applications, eliminating the information gap that previously existed. This innovation reduces paperwork at county and regional offices, increases transparency, and promotes fairness by matching transfer requests with available vacancies.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our earlier feature: TSC Digital Teacher Transfer System 2025.
2. B.Ed Graduates to Register After Three Calendar Years
In addition to the JSS transfer reforms, TSC has also made a groundbreaking decision regarding the training and registration of Bachelor of Education students.
In an official communication addressed to the Registrar of Academic Affairs at the Great Lakes University of Kisumu, TSC acknowledged receipt of a curriculum booklet for the Bachelor of Education (Arts) program. Upon review, the Commission confirmed that the curriculum accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) meets the academic and professional standards required for effective teaching.
As a result, the Commission has approved that teacher trainees can now complete their training within three (3) calendar years, provided that the programs are delivered efficiently and meet the unit and practicum requirements.
Key Requirements for Graduation and Registration:
- Bachelor of Education (Arts) students must complete 52 educational units plus a mandatory three-month teaching practice.
- Bachelor of Education (Science) students must complete 54 educational units plus a mandatory three-month teaching practice.
Once students complete these requirements, they will be considered eligible for TSC registration as teachers after just three years.
Why This Change Matters
This reform has several implications:
- Faster entry into the profession – Graduates no longer need four years before qualifying for TSC registration.
- Reduced financial burden – Students and parents will save on tuition and living costs previously incurred during a fourth year.
- More teachers for schools – The education sector, which continues to face teacher shortages, will benefit from quicker deployment of trained teachers.
- Global alignment – Kenya now matches global standards where three-year teacher training programs are common, especially in Europe and parts of Africa.
This decision is already being welcomed by students and universities, many of which will now adjust their delivery models to ensure the required coursework is covered within the three-year timeframe.
Conclusion
With JSS teachers now empowered through the online transfer system and B.Ed graduates qualifying for registration after three years, 2025 is shaping up to be a transformative year for the teaching profession in Kenya.
These reforms highlight TSC’s commitment to embracing technology, efficiency, and global standards while prioritizing teacher welfare and transparency.
As the Commission continues to implement its #TransformingTheCommission agenda, teachers remain at the heart of these reforms, hopeful that modernization will bring fairness, accountability, and improved career growth.
Exceeding expectations by the commission.