Last reviewed: 24 October 2026
Teaching remains one of the most popular career choices for Kenyan school leavers. To teach in a public school, you need an approved teaching qualification and registration with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). This guide explains the main teacher training routes, the entry grades KUCCPS publishes for them, and what comes after college.
On this page
The main routes
| Programme | Where | KCSE entry (KUCCPS) |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education | Teacher training colleges | See current KUCCPS requirements |
| Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE) | Primary teacher training colleges | C mean grade |
| Diploma in Secondary Teacher Education | Diploma teacher training colleges | C+ mean grade |
| Bachelor of Education | Universities | C+ and competitive cluster points |
KUCCPS lists the DPTE minimum as C and the Diploma in Secondary Teacher Education minimum as C+, and allows applicants who sat KCSE from 2000 onwards to apply for teacher education diplomas. Non-Kenyan citizens are eligible for placement to the primary and early childhood teacher education diplomas, according to KUCCPS. Each programme also has subject requirements, which are listed on the portal.
Applying
Applications go through the KUCCPS Students’ Portal like other programmes. Follow the steps in how to apply on the KUCCPS portal, and check the subject requirements for each college before choosing.
Which level to teach?
Under CBC, schools are organised as pre-primary, primary (Grades 1–6), junior school (Grades 7–9) and senior school (Grades 10–12). Primary teacher diplomas prepare teachers for the lower levels. Junior and senior school posts advertised by TSC have required higher qualifications; for example, TSC’s August 2026 recruitment for junior school teachers required at least a Diploma in Education with a KCSE mean grade of C+ and C+ in two teaching subjects, according to education media reports of the advert.
After college: TSC registration
It is an offence to teach in Kenya without being registered as a teacher, under the TSC Act. Graduates apply for registration through the TSC online system, then can apply for internships or permanent posts when TSC advertises. See our TSC recruitment 2026 guide and how to apply for a TSC internship.
Private schools
Private schools also employ teachers and many advertise openly. Pay and terms vary widely; read private school teacher salaries in Kenya and browse current openings on our teacher jobs board.
Choosing subjects early
Secondary-level teachers teach two subjects. Students planning to teach should pick subjects they enjoy and perform well in at KCSE or, for CBC learners, in senior school, since teaching subject requirements typically ask for good grades in both. Shortage subjects such as Mathematics, sciences and technical subjects tend to have more openings.
Under CBC
For learners now in senior school, KUCCPS has not yet published entry requirements for teacher education under CBC. See KUCCPS placement under CBC.
Sources
- KUCCPS, “Placement” page and “Degree Application 2025/2026 Placement Cycle” (teacher education minimum grades)
- TSC online system notice on teacher registration (teachersonline.tsc.go.ke)
- CBC Teachers Online / Elimu News Arena reports on the August 2026 TSC junior school advert
CBC Guides is independent and not part of KUCCPS or TSC.