JSS teachers should have minimum grade C+

Primary school teachers seeking promotion to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) should have scored a minimum grade of C+ in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has set stricter academic qualifications to enhance learning in schools.

It will also be mandatory for the teachers to have acquired a minimum grade of C+ in each of the two teaching subjects or their equivalent.

The move is aimed at ensuring teachers have a strong academic foundation that will enable them to deliver high-quality education.

“To be deployed as Junior Secondary School teachers, one must be serving as primary school teachers employed by TSC nd must hold a diploma or degree in education,” a statement by TSC, posted on their X account read.

The new directive is in line with the ongoing rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which necessitates skilled educators for Junior Secondary School Education.

For students to join Teachers Training Colleges for diplomas, they are required to obtain a minimum of grade C+ in KCSE, a minimum of C in mathematics and English/Kiswahili, and a minimum of C+ in any subsidiary subjects.

Joe Mungai, a former Kenya National Union of Teachers secretary for Thika branch, said the directive will ensure that only the best handle learners.

However, he said teachers should have other qualities besides academic qualifications.

“A good teacher must be empathetic, respectful and responsible. Must go beyond a schedule and produce an all-round student. Is it scientific that a teacher who is good in academics will also be great in spotting talent?”