Last reviewed: 24 October 2026
Teacher Professional Development (TPD) is the Teachers Service Commission’s programme of continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers in Kenya. It has been one of the most debated policies in recent years, mainly over cost. This guide explains what TPD is, what has changed, and how CPD links to your teaching licence.
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What TPD is
TSC introduced TPD in 2021 as a structured series of modules that every registered teacher would complete over their career, in five-year cycles. The modules cover areas such as competency based curriculum delivery, assessment, inclusive education, digital literacy, mentoring and leadership. The programme was delivered with approved providers including KEMI, Mount Kenya University, Riara University and Kenyatta University.
The cost controversy
When TSC rolled TPD out in September 2021, teachers were expected to pay KSh 6,000 a year to the training providers, which unions and many teachers opposed. In 2022 the Treasury allocated funds to cover the training for a period, but the fee question kept returning.
What has changed
TSC has unveiled a redesigned TPD framework that is free of charge. Acting TSC CEO Evaleen Mitei told the KESSHA conference that TSC “will not charge any money for Teacher Professional Development”, while making it a mandatory requirement for renewing teachers’ practising licences every five years. Most learning will be online through a learning management system. On 5 October 2026 (World Teachers’ Day), President Ruto said the government would meet TPD costs and that KSh 900 million had been set aside for teacher capacity building in the 2026/27 budget. TSC has also opened free self-paced courses on its T-Learn platform. Check TSC circulars for rollout dates.
Why CPD matters for your licence
Under the new framework, TPD completion will be required to renew your licence every five years. In practice, keep certificates from every TPD module, workshop or course you complete, and record them in your TPAD professional development section.
Other CPD routes
- KICD CBC training: many teachers have attended CBC orientation and retooling programmes.
- KEMI courses for school leaders and those aspiring to leadership.
- University and college courses such as postgraduate diplomas in education.
- Online short courses on digital skills, special needs education and assessment.
Practical steps now
- Check your TSC registration status and personal details on the TSC portal.
- Collect certificates of previous training in one folder, scanned as PDFs.
- Follow official TSC channels for TPD announcements and avoid paying unofficial agents.
- Link completed training to your TPAD each term. See our TPAD guide 2026.
For newly registered teachers
If you have just registered with TSC, start a CPD record from day one. Note the date, provider, hours and topic of every session, including school-based training such as departmental workshops. A simple spreadsheet plus scanned certificates is enough, and it will make both TPAD and any future licence renewal much easier.
Beware of scams
Be wary of anyone offering TPD certificates or “fast-track” licence renewals for a fee. TPD is now free and runs through TSC channels. If someone asks you to send money to a personal phone number, it is a scam.
Sharing what you learn
If you develop good schemes, notes or assessment tools from your training, consider sharing them through our teacher resource library. Uploads are checked before they appear; paid sales are coming later.
Job hunting? See the teacher jobs board.
Sources
- Daily Nation: Teachers to renew licences every five years under new TSC rules
- Arena: government to pay for TPD (5 October 2026)
- Arena: TPD rollout and KSh 6,000 fee (September 2021)
- Teachers Service Commission Act, 2012, and Code of Regulations for Teachers
CBC Guides is independent and is not affiliated with TSC. Policies change; confirm with TSC.