Big changes are coming to Kenya’s teaching profession. Starting January 2025, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) will stop recruiting teachers who hold the Primary Teachers Certificate (PTE), often referred to as the P1 certification.
This decision marks a significant turning point, aimed at raising the bar for teacher qualifications as part of the education reforms currently shaking up the sector.
From that date forward, only candidates with a Diploma in Education will qualify for public school teaching jobs.
To meet the new standards, aspiring teachers must have scored at least a C plain in their KCSE exams. They’ll also need a D+ in Mathematics and a C– in English to be considered.
This change isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s based on recommendations by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, which has been working to align teacher training with the demands of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). The idea is to equip teachers with the skills needed to meet the evolving needs of learners in today’s education environment.
For those already in the system, TSC has a clear message: It’s time to upskill. Teachers holding P1 certificates are being encouraged to pursue advanced studies and earn diploma qualifications if they hope to remain competitive in the coming years. The window for sticking to old certifications is closing fast.
On a positive note, teachers with additional training in areas like:
- Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE)
- Diploma in Teacher Education (DTE)
- Special Needs Education (SNE)
…will still qualify to teach learners in grades one through six under CBC guidelines.
“The profession is shifting, and so must the qualifications. We need teachers who have the knowledge and tools to deliver on CBC’s promise,” TSC emphasized in a recent statement.
Mixed Reactions From the Teaching Community
As with any big reform, opinions are split. Some teachers and stakeholders see this as a bold and necessary step to professionalize the education sector. They argue that raising the standards will ultimately lead to better outcomes for students.
But not everyone’s on board. Concerns are growing about how the changes might affect the livelihoods of current P1 teachers, many of whom have spent years in classrooms shaping young minds with the tools they were trained with. There’s understandable anxiety over whether transitioning to a diploma qualification will be practical—or accessible—for everyone, especially those nearing retirement.
Despite the debates, the TSC remains firm. The commission says the reforms align with Kenya’s constitutional goals of improving education quality while ensuring its teaching workforce is prepared to meet the challenges of an increasingly dynamic system.
What’s Next for P1 Teachers?
If you’re a teacher holding a P1 certificate, you might be wondering what this means for your future. Here’s the reality: the teaching field is evolving, and staying relevant means embracing this transition.
Investing in further studies to secure a diploma could be the key to not only securing your career but also thriving as education standards continue to rise.
This isn’t the end of the road—it’s an opportunity. By building on your skills and broadening your qualifications, you’ll be positioned to make positive contributions to Kenya’s education system for years to come.
The P1 certification, which has been the backbone of primary school teaching for decades, is stepping aside to make room for a modernized approach. It’s a bittersweet moment, but one that reflects the bigger goal of delivering a world-class education system.
As the 2025 deadline approaches, this transformative shift reminds us that the heart of education reform lies not just in systems and policies but in the teachers who bring them to life. Will you be ready to take on the challenge?
