The Teachers Service Commission has formally announced that primary school teachers will no longer be deployed to teach in junior secondary school (JSS). The commission said the Competency Based Curriculum requires advanced subject specialization that most primary-trained teachers do not meet under the new qualification standards.
TSC clarified that JSS teaching positions must be filled by graduate teachers who have specialized in at least two teaching subjects at university level. The commission emphasized that junior secondary content is more demanding and requires deeper academic preparation than what primary teacher training programs offer.
Under the revised subject allocation structure, language teachers will now handle a wide range of learning areas, including English, Kiswahili or Sign Language, Social Studies, History, Geography, Religious Education and Pastoral Programs. This workload demands strong subject mastery and a degree-level background.
Teachers of technical, science and humanities subjects must also demonstrate advanced content knowledge that TSC argues is not typically covered in primary teacher education. These standards form the basis for excluding primary-trained teachers from JSS deployment moving forward.
The decision immediately affects thousands of primary school teachers who had hoped to transition into junior secondary roles. Many of them had previously served JSS classes temporarily, especially during the early stages of the CBC transition.
Schools that relied on redeploying primary teachers to fill JSS gaps may encounter staffing shortages, as TSC shifts recruitment toward educators with secondary-oriented qualifications. This could increase competition among degree-holding teachers and accelerate fresh recruitment to fill the gaps.
The directive has sparked protests from primary teachers who argue that the criteria are too restrictive. Many say they hold diplomas or degrees and believe they are qualified to teach at JSS level. They view the move as a barrier to career progression and a dismissal of their experience.
On the other hand, teachers currently serving in junior secondary and supporters of a stricter curriculum rollout have welcomed TSC’s decision. They argue that JSS learners need specialized instruction aligned with subject-based pathways, and that maintaining higher standards is essential for quality delivery under CBC.
The debate is likely to continue as schools adapt to the new rules and as teachers push for recognition of their qualifications under the junior secondary framework.
