In a historic move to diversify Kenya’s educational landscape, the Teachers Service Commission (Amendment) Bill 2024 has finally opened the doors for Montessori-trained teachers to enter the formal registry. For years, educators trained in the Montessori curriculum were treated as “outsiders,” often confined to high-end private institutions because the TSC did not recognize their specialized certifications.
However, under the new legislative framework debated in February 2026, these teachers are now set for formal recognition, marking a major victory for early childhood education (ECE) specialists across the country.
The new Bill acknowledges that the Montessori curriculum—which emphasizes self-directed, hands-on learning—is a vital component of a modern, multi-pathway education system. Under the new rules, teachers with a Diploma in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) Montessori Curriculum can now register with the TSC, provided they meet a minimum entry grade of C (Plain) in their KCSE.
This move effectively integrates thousands of highly skilled tutors into the national workforce, allowing them to apply for government roles and participate in the official pension scheme.
Relaxed Requirements for “Single-Subject” Specialists
Another radical shift in Article 13 is the relaxation of the “two-teaching-subjects” rule. Traditionally, the TSC required secondary school teachers to be proficient in two subjects (e.g., Mathematics and Physics). The 2024 Bill removes this barrier for specialized courses, particularly in the creative arts and technical fields.
Tutors specializing solely in Music, Fine Arts, or specific technical skills under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) can now register as specialists. This ensures that schools can hire “subject masters” who can provide deep expertise in niche areas without being forced to teach a second subject they may not be passionate about.
Harmonizing Grades with the Ministry of Education
A long-standing conflict has existed between the TSC and the Ministry of Education regarding admission grades for teacher training colleges. While the Ministry previously accepted lower grades for diploma courses, the TSC often refused to register those graduates, leaving them in a professional “limbo.” The 2024 Bill harmonizes these standards:
Diploma in Primary Education: Set at a C (Plain) mean grade.
Diploma in Secondary Education: Set at a C (Plain) overall, with a C+ in the specific teaching subject.
By creating a “unified entry gate,” the Bill ensures that any student who completes a recognized training course is guaranteed registration, ending years of heartbreak for thousands of aspiring teachers.
The Quality Over Quantity Debate
While the TSC is easing the pathway for specialized and Montessori tutors, it is simultaneously “raising the floor” for general teacher education. The scrapping of the Certificate level in ECDE means that the entry-level qualification for any Kenyan classroom is now a Diploma.
The Commission argues that while they want to be inclusive of different curricula, they will not compromise on the basic academic threshold. This “balanced gatekeeping” is intended to professionalize the early years of learning, ensuring that the foundation of the Kenyan child is managed by highly qualified, legally recognized professionals.
