Private Schools Ordered to Hire Only TSC-Registered Teachers

Private schools across Kenya have been directed to employ only teachers who are registered by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

The directive was issued by the Ministry of Education during the annual Kenya Private Schools Association conference held in Mombasa.

Speaking during the event, Education Ministry Director General Dr Elyas Abdi said private learning institutions must strictly follow teacher registration rules and also invest in continuous teacher training as the country fully implements the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum.

Dr Abdi noted that Kenya’s education sector is currently going through a major transition, especially with the movement of Grade 10 learners to Senior School under the new system.

He praised private schools for supporting the transition by improving infrastructure, preparing teachers, and strengthening school capacity.

According to the ministry, all private schools must hire teachers who are officially registered by TSC. Schools have also been urged to introduce regular professional development programmes to help teachers deliver the curriculum effectively.

Dr Abdi stressed that child safety, welfare, and protection standards must also be strictly followed in all institutions.

He added that quality assurance should be a key part of school management to ensure learners receive quality education.

The Director General reminded school owners that the Constitution of Kenya, the Basic Education Act, and the Children Act provide the legal framework that guides the operation of private schools and protects every child’s right to education.

He said that both the government, parents, and schools share the responsibility of ensuring children have access to quality and continuous learning.

While acknowledging the rapid growth of private schools in Kenya, Dr Abdi warned that such growth must go hand in hand with government regulations and national education standards.

He also raised concerns over the increasing challenge of teacher shortages in private schools.

According to him, many teachers leave private schools whenever TSC announces recruitment for public schools.

“Every time TSC recruits, many teachers leave private schools for public schools. This creates a serious challenge in teacher retention,” Dr Abdi said.

He explained that frequent transfer of teachers negatively affects learning under the CBE system.

“For example, if a student is taught Mathematics by many different teachers over three years, it can affect performance and learning outcomes,” he added.

The ministry also raised concerns over learner welfare, especially in cases where young children are picked up from home very early in the morning and dropped back late at night.

Schools were reminded that lessons should officially begin at 8 am as required by education regulations.

Dr Abdi further urged private schools to focus on the all-round growth of learners and not only academics.

He said activities such as sports, drama, music, and other co-curricular programmes are equally important in child development.

“It is not only about Mathematics and English. We are building a complete child,” he said.

School owners were challenged to balance business interests with the welfare of learners.

He also encouraged schools to invest in in-service teacher training and work closely with KNEC and KICD for curriculum support and teacher capacity building.

Private schools were also warned against using unapproved learning materials that do not align with the national curriculum.

The ministry further encouraged institutions to adopt digital learning and new technologies while remaining compliant with education standards.

In conclusion, Dr Abdi called on school proprietors to show strong leadership in handling issues such as teacher shortages, infrastructure pressure, and rising operational costs.

Kenya Private Schools Association Chairman Charles Ochome said the conference theme was timely and important for the sector.

He said every learner deserves quality education and the highest standards of care.