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The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is preparing to roll out a new licensing framework that will require teachers to renew their practising licences every five years, in what is expected to be one of the biggest reforms in Kenya’s education sector.
Under the proposed policy, teachers will have to complete the Teacher Professional Development (TPD) programme before their licences can be renewed, making continuous professional learning a compulsory requirement for those who wish to remain in active service.
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The commission says the reforms are intended to ensure teachers continuously improve their knowledge and teaching skills to meet the demands of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum and the evolving education system.
Acting TSC Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei said licence renewal will be directly linked to successful completion of the five-year TPD programme, bringing the teaching profession in line with other regulated careers.
“We want the teaching profession to operate like other professions where practitioners are licensed. Completion of the five-year TPD programme will form the basis for renewing a teacher’s practising licence,” Mitei said.
She made the remarks during the 49th Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) Annual Conference held in Mombasa on June 25.
If implemented, the reforms will mean that registration with TSC alone will no longer be enough for teachers to continue practising throughout their careers. Instead, educators will be expected to regularly update their professional knowledge through structured training before qualifying for licence renewal.
The proposed model mirrors systems already used in professions such as law and medicine, where professionals are required to meet continuing education requirements before renewing their practising certificates.
TSC believes adopting a similar framework will help uphold professionalism and improve the quality of teaching across the country.
Unlike when the TPD programme was introduced in 2021, when teachers were required to pay Sh6,000 per training module, the commission says participants will no longer bear the cost of the programme under the new arrangement.
To facilitate nationwide implementation, TSC is also developing a Learning Management System (LMS) that will allow teachers to access learning materials, complete coursework and monitor their progress online.
Most of the training will be conducted virtually, with only a few physical sessions to ensure teachers from all parts of the country can participate without disrupting learning.
Beyond improving classroom performance, TSC says the licensing reforms will also enhance the international competitiveness of Kenyan teachers.
According to Mitei, the lack of a formal practising licence has previously made it difficult for Kenyan teachers to secure employment abroad, as many countries require professional licences before recognising foreign educators.
To address the challenge, TSC has been working with the State Department for Diaspora Affairs to develop a framework that will facilitate the safe and regulated placement of Kenyan teachers in overseas job markets.
On June 17, Mitei led a TSC delegation in discussions with Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu to review progress on policies aimed at supporting Kenyan teachers seeking employment abroad.
The meeting also brought together TSC Chairperson Jamleck Muturi, Secretary for Diaspora Investments, Skills and Entrepreneurship Isaiya Kabira, TSC Director for Staffing Antonina Lentojoini and Deputy Director for Policy Planning, Research, Data and Innovation Clement Kabuti.
During the discussions, Mitei outlined the progress made in developing a policy framework that will guide the deployment of Kenyan teachers to international labour markets.
TSC says the proposed reforms are designed not only to improve teaching standards in Kenya but also to align the country’s educators with global professional requirements, making it easier for them to pursue employment opportunities overseas while strengthening professionalism within the teaching service.
