The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has strongly opposed proposals to lower the minimum academic requirements for training Early Childhood Development (ECD) teachers. The commission insists that pre-primary teachers must possess high qualifications, warning that lowering standards would compromise the foundation of Kenya’s education system.
Speaking before senators, TSC Director of Teacher Professional Management, Dr. Reuben Nthamburi, argued that ECD teachers should meet strict requirements given the importance of their role. “We must not make the mistake of lowering the qualification of ECD teachers. In fact, Kenya already lags behind globally—many developed countries require master’s degrees for ECD teaching,” he noted.
Senators, led by Taita Taveta’s Johnes Mwarume, had called for the diploma entry grade to be reduced from C plain to C– (minus). However, Dr. Nthamburi emphasized that both the Fatuma Chege and Raphael Munavu task forces had recommended strengthening qualifications, not diluting them.
Since 2021, teacher training colleges have implemented a merged curriculum, offering a Diploma in Teacher Education that equips trainees to handle both pre-primary and primary levels. This was done to improve enrolment and ensure uniform standards, as many ECD teachers were previously trained in unregulated institutions.
The new training requires a KCSE mean grade of C plain, and graduates undergo extensive coursework and practice teaching in both PP1, PP2, and Grades 1–6. Dr. Nthamburi explained that this approach broadens career opportunities while addressing teacher shortages in ECD.
He also urged counties, which manage pre-primary education, to invest in better facilities. “Many centres still operate in poor conditions with unsafe buildings. Young learners need safe, nurturing environments where they can develop confidence, attentiveness, and social skills,” he said.
TSC acting CEO Evaleen Mitei added that the reforms align with recommendations of the Presidential Working Party on Education. By August 2025, Kenya had registered over 137,000 ECD teachers, but the commission is working to update its Act to reflect Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) requirements.
Ultimately, the commission insists that safeguarding quality at the ECD level is critical for national growth, since early learning lays the groundwork for future academic and social development.
