In a major policy shift aimed at bridging a severe staffing deficit under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is proposing to lower the deployment requirements for primary school teachers moving to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS).
Under the proposed changes, primary educators holding secondary-option Bachelor’s degrees will qualify for JSS deployment with a minimum KCSE mean grade of C (plain), provided they scored at least a C+ in one teaching subject. Previously, the commission strictly required a C+ overall mean grade and a C+ in two teaching subjects.
This rigid entry threshold historically locked out thousands of P1 teachers who advanced academically but lacked the initial KCSE grades. The proposed easing of rules comes as Kenya grapples with a significant workforce gap in its JSS section. Currently, Grades 7, 8, and 9 require approximately 149,350 teachers, yet the available workforce stands at nearly 100,000.
Diploma Teachers and Special Needs Accommodations
The revised regulations extend to diploma holders. Educators with a Diploma Certificate in Education will secure registration if they attained a KCSE mean grade of C (plain) and a C+ in one teaching subject. For teachers living with disabilities, the threshold is further relaxed to a C (plain) mean grade and a C in a single teaching subject.
To formalize these adjustments, the TSC held a public participation forum at the Kenya Institute of Special Education on May 14, 2026. The commission confirmed that the proposed amendments to Regulation 20 of the Code of Regulations for Teachers (CORT) will soon head to Parliament for final approval.
Deployment Process and Teacher Demands
The deployment exercise will continue through the TSC online application portal. Applicants must present original academic certificates, transcripts, current payslips, and institutional clearance letters confirming they are free from disciplinary cases. For further resources and deployment updates, educators can consult teacher.co.ke.
The commission indicated that priority will be given to teachers serving near their current stations to minimize disruptions. Officials are directed to balance subject combinations and ensure gender equity. Furthermore, educators with Special Needs Education qualifications will receive fast-tracked consideration for special junior schools.
While successfully deployed teachers will receive grade adjustments based on their new academic qualifications—with current B5 and C1 degree holders expected to move to job group C2—concerns over financial administration persist. Teachers continue to urge the commission to automate salary upgrades immediately upon deployment, citing rampant delays in promotions to Grade C3 and stagnant payslips following previous deployment cycles.