TSC Minimum Qualifications for Secondary School Teachers in Kenya under CBC (2025 Update)

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) remains the official employer of teachers in Kenya and plays a crucial role in shaping the education sector. Every year, thousands of qualified graduates and diploma holders apply for recruitment into secondary schools, but only those who meet the minimum requirements are shortlisted and eventually absorbed. Understanding the latest TSC guidelines for 2025 is essential for any teacher who hopes to secure a job in the public education system.

The Commission has been at the center of reforms in teacher management, from recruitment policies to digital transformation initiatives. Recent announcements, such as the ban on certain degree programs for teacher recruitment and the emphasis on proper subject combinations, show how serious TSC is about ensuring that only well-prepared professionals enter classrooms.

If you are planning to apply for a secondary school teaching position in 2025, here is a comprehensive look at the minimum requirements, academic qualifications, subject demands, and what these reforms mean for both graduate and diploma teachers.

1. Academic Qualifications for Graduate Teachers

To qualify for employment as a graduate secondary school teacher, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (B.Ed.) or a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Science with a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).
• Have studied a minimum of eight course units in each teaching subject.
• Must have completed Special Methods in both teaching subjects.
• Must have undertaken at least three months of teaching practice in a recognized school.

These requirements ensure that graduate teachers not only understand the content but also have the pedagogical skills to deliver it effectively. TSC has previously raised concerns about universities producing graduates with inadequate teaching practice or subject mastery, leading to reforms in degree recognition. This is why the recent ban on certain education degree programs is particularly relevant for aspiring teachers.

2. Academic Qualifications for Diploma Teachers

Diploma teachers also have an opportunity to teach in secondary schools, provided they meet the following:

• Must hold a Diploma in Education from a recognized institution.
• Must have studied two teaching subjects with adequate units in each.
• Diploma teachers with English plus another subject qualify to teach English/Literature, provided they studied enough units in both areas.

Diploma teachers often face stiff competition during recruitment, but they remain vital in bridging staffing gaps in subjects where shortages exist.

3. KCSE Subject Requirements for Secondary Teachers

All applicants must have studied their two teaching subjects at KCSE level. However, there are specific exceptions in cases where a teaching subject was not directly offered at KCSE:

• Business Studies → C+ in Mathematics
• Computer Studies → C+ in Mathematics
• Agriculture → C+ in Biology
• Home Science → C+ in Biology

This requirement ensures that teachers have a solid foundation in the core subjects before progressing into advanced teaching roles. It also explains why subject mastery and proper subject combinations have become a key part of the TSC subject combination rules for teacher recruitment.

4. TSC’s Focus on Subject Combinations

In 2025, TSC has emphasized that teachers must have two valid teaching subjects. This aligns with Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which requires flexibility in subject allocation. A teacher with mismatched or “non-marketable” subject combinations may find themselves locked out of TSC recruitment opportunities, regardless of their degree.

For example, combinations like Physics + Chemistry, Mathematics + Business, and English + Literature are in high demand, while combinations such as History + CRE may face saturation. Teachers are therefore encouraged to choose subject combinations wisely right from the university or college level.

5. The Role of Teaching Practice

Another critical requirement is successful completion of teaching practice. Graduate teachers must undergo at least three months, while diploma teachers are also expected to demonstrate classroom competence. TSC uses this as a way to confirm that graduates are not only academically qualified but also practically skilled in handling students.

The 2025 TSC JSS intern score sheet revealed that teaching practice and internship performance now contribute heavily to recruitment points. This shows how important classroom readiness has become in teacher employment.

6. TSC Registration Before Employment

Meeting the academic requirements alone does not guarantee employment. Teachers must also register with TSC to be recognized as professionals. Registration requires:

• National ID
• KRA PIN
• Academic and professional certificates
• Certificate of Good Conduct
• Passport photo

Without TSC registration, teachers cannot be deployed to public or private schools. The registration process is now digital, and applicants can follow the TSC transfer and registration guide for smooth processing.

7. Why These Requirements Matter

The TSC minimum requirements are not just bureaucratic hurdles; they are meant to uphold the quality of education in Kenya. By ensuring that only qualified, well-trained, and registered teachers enter classrooms, the Commission safeguards learning standards and enhances accountability in schools.

For teachers, this means proper career planning is essential. Those who take shortcuts in training, ignore subject combinations, or fail to meet the outlined requirements risk being left out during recruitment drives.

8. Challenges Facing Aspiring Teachers

While the requirements are clear, aspiring teachers face several challenges:

• Oversupply of teachers: Each year, universities churn out thousands of graduates, but available positions remain limited.
• Subject imbalance: Some subjects face a surplus of teachers, while others like Mathematics, Physics, and Kiswahili face shortages.
• Policy shifts: With ongoing reforms, such as changes in degree recognition, teachers must constantly stay updated.
• CBC alignment: Teachers must adapt to the Competency-Based Curriculum, which requires more practical and learner-centered teaching approaches.

9. Opportunities for Teachers in 2025

Despite the challenges, opportunities remain:

• Teachers in STEM subjects have higher chances of recruitment due to shortages.
• Special Needs Education (SNE) teachers are highly demanded, with immediate registration and absorption.
• Teachers with competitive subject combinations stand a better chance of securing employment.
• Internship opportunities for JSS and secondary school teachers are helping graduates gain points for future recruitment.

Conclusion

The TSC minimum requirements for secondary school teachers in Kenya (2025) are designed to improve the quality of education by ensuring only qualified professionals are absorbed into the teaching workforce. Graduate teachers must hold valid degrees or PGDEs with the required subject units, while diploma teachers must meet strict subject requirements. Additionally, KCSE performance, teaching practice, and subject combinations all play a crucial role in determining eligibility.

As recruitment drives continue, teachers are encouraged to align themselves with these requirements, choose marketable subject combinations, and stay updated with TSC guidelines. With competition expected to remain high, only those who meet the outlined qualifications and demonstrate readiness for CBC classrooms will stand a chance of securing employment.