Following a recent TSC adjustment to the academic standards for those entering the teaching sector, college and university students studying education degrees are in a panic.
After completing their training, the student teachers fear that they won’t be registered and given a TSC number to practice teaching.
The new TSC regulations state that in order to pursue a bachelor’s degree in education at a university, a student must have received at least a B- in both mathematics and English.
Additionally, the student’s total mean grade in the KCSE must be at least C+, and they must have received at least C+ in each of the teaching topics.
Previously, candidates were only required to have scored a minimum of C+ as an overall mean grade in KCSE and a minimum C+ in the two teaching subjects to pursue education degree.
The Commission has also banned bridging courses which were previously used to fill gaps for those who did not meet the minimum requirements. Bridging courses will not be accepted to meet these requirements.
For students pursuing Diploma in Education (Secondary option) at least a D+ in Mathematics and C in English is mandatory. In addition one must also have at least C+ as the overall mean grade in KCSE.
These changes are a plan by the government to regulate the number of teachers churned out by colleges and universities.
Currently the market is flooded with teachers and the government seems overwhelmed by the numbers.
Around 400,000 teachers are yet to be employed by TSC. The government is planning to export the surplus teachers abroad.
Education CS Julius Ogamba had said there are plans to register Kenya as an English speaking country to facilitate this move.
The government has for the last year exported 105,667 Kenyans. These are graduate teachers, nurses and chefs sent to work in Germany, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Kuwait.
President Ruto in a State of the Nation address last month said there are talks to include Russia, Poland and Jordan in the plan.
Some universities have previously defied TSC directive and created own parallel requirements that later put teachers in problem as TSC refused to accept their certificates.
One of the core function of the Commission is to review the standards of education and training of persons entering the teaching service.
It is also the work of TSC to review the demand for and the supply of teachers and advise the government on the same.
ADVISORY ON EDUCATION DEGREE AND TSC REQUIREMENTS
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has revised the academic qualifications required for individuals intending to pursue a degree in education.
To avoid future disappointments, kindly take note of the following updated requirements and share this information with young people interested in the teaching profession:
REQUIREMENTS FOR A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN EDUCATION
Minimum Grades:
B- in both Mathematics and English.
C+ in the teaching subjects of interest.
C+ as the overall mean grade in KCSE.
BRIDGING COURSES:
Bridging courses will not be accepted to meet these requirements.
PREVIOUS REQUIREMENT:
Previously, candidates needed a minimum of C+ as an overall mean grade and C+ in the teaching subjects.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A DIPLOMA IN SECONDARY TEACHER EDUCATION (DSTE):
Minimum Grades:
D+ in Mathematics.
C in English.
C+ as the overall mean grade in KCSE.
IMPORTANT ADVISORY:
Do not enroll for education courses without meeting the above requirements, as you will not qualify for a TSC registration number upon graduation.
Be cautious, as some universities may still offer education courses to students who do not meet the stipulated qualifications due to negligence.
Such graduates will face challenges obtaining their TSC numbers.
FOR GRADUATES WITHOUT TSC NUMBERS:
Graduates who completed their education degree or diploma under the previous requirements but have not yet obtained a TSC number are strongly advised to apply for it immediately.
Delays in processing the TSC number could result in complications with the new changes being implemented.