TSC Teacher Registration Requirements

TSC Teacher Registration Requirements Under the Teachers Service Commission Act 2012

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Act of 2012, Article 237, outlines the essential requirements and procedures for teacher registration in both public and private educational institutions.

The act mandates the registration of all qualified teachers, and those who meet the criteria are issued a certificate of registration bearing a TSC number within 30 days of their application.

Furthermore, the commission publishes the names of registered teachers on an annual basis. Here is an overview of the registration requirements and procedures:

Requirements for Teacher Registration:

Online Application: Applicants must complete the registration process online. A user guide is available to assist with the application process.

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Document Upload: The following documents should be scanned and uploaded as part of the registration process:

• Certified copies of academic and professional certificates.
• National identity card.
• Bank slip.
• One passport-size photo.
• Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) pin.
• GP69 form.
• Certificate of good conduct.
• Entry and work permits for non-Kenyans (if applicable).

Payment of Fees:

New Registration:

For new teacher registrations, a non-refundable fee of Kshs. 1,050/- is required.

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You can make this payment during the application process using a range of E-Citizen government payment methods, which include MPesa, Airtel Money, KCB Cash, Equity Cash, and E-Agent, among others.

Please ensure that payment is complete before submitting your application.

Duplicate Certificate Application:

When applying for a duplicate certificate of registration, you must provide a non-refundable fee of Kshs. 2,050.

Just like new registrations, applicants can pay this fee using E-Citizen government payment methods.

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Please ensure that you scan and upload only original documents during the application process.

These comprehensive requirements and procedures ensure that the TSC Act properly registers all qualified teachers.

The act not only promotes accountability and professionalism in the teaching sector but also provides teachers with a formal recognition of their qualifications, allowing them to contribute effectively to the education system in Kenya.

Courses That Do Not Qualify for TSC Registration Despite a PGDE

Registration Requirements and Restrictions

Graduates with a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree who have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), along with having studied two teaching subjects, are generally considered eligible for registration.

However, the Commission emphasizes that registration is strictly limited to those whose academic training aligns with subjects in the current school curriculum.

Applicants whose academic backgrounds are in fields that are not part of the approved curriculum are ineligible for registration, even if they have pursued a PGDE or any subject enhancement.

TSC explained that such training fails to meet the necessary content depth required in two teaching subjects.

List of Non-Applicable Undergraduate Courses

The Commission has outlined a list of undergraduate programs that do not qualify for teaching registration under any circumstances, even when supplemented with a PGDE. These include, but are not limited to:

• Natural Resources
• Meteorology
• Forestry
• Animal Husbandry
• Horticulture
• Farm Machinery
• Fisheries
• Anthropology
• Sociology
• Theology/Divinity
• Journalism
• Kiswahili and Communication
• Business Management / Administration
• Banking and Finance
• Genomics
• Actuarial Science
• Environmental Science
• Criminology
• Biotechnology and Agriculture
• All Engineering-Related Courses
• Industrial Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics
• Technology and Applied Biology
• Microbiology

Insufficient Subject Content a Key Concern

The Commission has made it clear that graduates from these fields, despite acquiring a PGDE, are not qualified for registration because their courses do not cover adequate subject matter for classroom instruction.

TSC officials pointed out that these degrees lack sufficient mastery in two core teaching subjects, which is a mandatory requirement for teacher registration.

A senior TSC officer said that many applicants wrongly assume a PGDE automatically makes them eligible, only to be turned away for lacking content in examinable school subjects.

Another official remarked that the core issue is not the diploma itself, but the unsuitability of the original undergraduate training.

Clarification from the Commission

In response to rising inquiries, a representative from the Commission emphasized that only degrees directly tied to curriculum-based subjects are acceptable for registration.

He stated that the Commission cannot lower standards for classroom competence, especially when the foundational degree is unrelated to the education syllabus.

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TSC Teacher Registration Requirements