TSC Acting TSC CEO Evaleen Mitei addressing the 49th KESSHA Annual Conference 2026 held in Mombasa, June 25, 2026. /TSC
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is set to introduce a new licensing framework that will require teachers to renew their practising licences every five years, marking one of the most significant reforms in the profession in recent years.
Under the proposed system, teachers will be required to undertake continuous professional development through the Teacher Professional Development (TPD) programme to maintain their licences, effectively making regular skills upgrading a mandatory requirement for those wishing to remain in active practice.
The move is aimed at ensuring educators continuously improve their pedagogical skills to keep pace with the evolving demands of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum and the changing education landscape.
Acting TSC chief executive officer Evaleen Mitei said the commission intends to anchor licence renewal on the successful completion of the TPD programme, bringing the teaching profession in line with other regulated careers.
"We are saying, just like all other professions, the teaching service must be licensed. That five-year TPD will lead to the renewal of your teaching licence," Mitei affirmed.
She spoke during the 49th Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) Annual Conference in Mombasa on Thursday, June 25.
The new framework means that registration with the TSC alone will no longer be sufficient for trained teachers to continue practising throughout their careers.
Instead, educators will be expected to continually update their knowledge and skills through structured professional learning before qualifying for licence renewal.
The proposed model mirrors the systems used in the legal and medical professions, where advocates and doctors are required to periodically renew their practising credentials after meeting continuing professional development requirements.
TSC believes a similar approach will help maintain high professional standards within the teaching service.
Previously, participation in the TPD programme was largely voluntary, with many teachers enrolling primarily to improve their chances of promotion or career progression.
The revised framework also addresses one of the programme's biggest sources of criticism — its cost.
When TPD was introduced in 2021, teachers were required to pay Sh6,000 per module out of pocket to undertake the training at contracted universities.
Under the new arrangement, however, teachers enrolled in the programme will not be required to pay for the training.
To support nationwide implementation, Mitei said TSC is developing a Learning Management System through which teachers will access training materials, complete modules and monitor their learning progress.
Most of the training will be conducted online, with only limited face-to-face sessions to ensure teachers across the country can participate with minimal disruption.
Beyond improving classroom instruction, TSC says the licensing framework is also intended to strengthen the international competitiveness of Kenyan teachers.
According to Mitei, the absence of a formal practising licence has previously presented challenges for teachers seeking employment abroad, as many destination countries require applicants to hold professional licences issued by their home countries before they can be accredited to teach.
To address this, TSC has been working with the State Department for Diaspora Affairs to strengthen the teacher mobility programme.
On June 17, Mitei led a TSC delegation in discussions with Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu on establishing mechanisms to facilitate the safe, orderly and regulated placement of Kenyan teachers in overseas jobs.
The meeting was also attended by TSC chairperson Jamleck Muturi, Secretary for Diaspora Investments, Skills and Entrepreneurship Isaiya Kabira, TSC Director for Staffing Antonina Lentojoini and Deputy Director for Policy Planning, Research, Data and Innovation Clement Kabuti.
During the meeting, Mitei briefed officials on the progress made in developing the policy framework that will guide the deployment of Kenyan teachers overseas.
The proposed licensing reforms therefore go beyond improving teaching standards in Kenya.
They also form part of a broader strategy to align Kenyan educators with international professional standards, making it easier for them to secure employment opportunities abroad as the country continues to position itself as a leading exporter of skilled labour.
If implemented, the reforms will not only reinforce professionalism within the teaching service but also enhance the global recognition and mobility of Kenyan teachers.
