The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has called on teachers across the country to embrace continuous professional development to enhance the implementation of competency-based education (CBE).
TSC chairperson, Dr Jamleck Muturi, said the transformation in Basic Education requires teachers who are not only skilled but also ethical, innovative, and adaptable to change.
Dr Muturi urged the educators of more than 23,000 primary schools across the country to embrace the Teacher Professional Development (TPD) framework rolled out by TSC to ensure they engage in continuous learning throughout their careers, aligning their skills with modern pedagogical demands.
The Teacher Professional Development framework is a compulsory programme implemented by the TSC.
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The Teacher Professional Development framework is a compulsory programme implemented by the employer. Initially, teachers’ unions opposed it.
The programme seeks to provide teachers with opportunities for continuous in-service professional development. It helps them to upgrade their content knowledge and pedagogical skills, and maintain high standards of teaching.
“There is therefore, need to enrol and continuously engage in upscaling your competencies through professional development in order to remain relevant in your area of expertise. You need to embrace the culture of lifelong learning,” said Dr Muturi.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Commission Chairman Jamleck Muturi.
Photo credit: File | Nation
Speaking during the end of the Kenya Primary School Heads Association (Kepsha) conference in Mombasa, the TSC chairperson said that CBE represents a shift from the traditional focus on content mastery to one that prioritises skills, values, and competencies.
Dr Muturi said that the CBE challenges educators to nurture learners who can think critically and innovatively, communicate effectively, collaborate and solve problems creatively.
“For this to happen, the teacher must transform from a transmitter of knowledge to a facilitator of learning; from a lecturer to a mentor; from an instructor to a coach. When we speak of upskilling, we speak of empowering teachers with the knowledge, tools, and mindsets necessary to deliver CBE effectively,” he said.
The TSC chairperson said CBE is about upgrading competencies in curriculum design, assessment for learning, classroom management, digital literacy, inclusive education, and reflective practice.
“Professionalism is not simply about qualification; it is about attitude, ethics, accountability, and lifelong learning. It means that teachers must continually refine their craft, adhere to the Code of Conduct and Ethics, and demonstrate integrity in their work,” he added.
Dr Muturi lauded the achievements made by the Commission over the past decade, including teacher registration, decentralisation of services, equitable deployment, and the digitisation of teacher management systems such as transfers and appraisals.
“From August this year, we have automated teacher transfers to enhance fairness, effectiveness, and efficiency in service delivery,” he said, adding that over one million qualified teachers are now registered with the Commission.
The Kenya Primary School Heads Association National Secretary Irene Yiailie, National Chairperson Fuad Ali and National Vice Chairperson Meshack Roche during the last day of the 2025 Annual Delegates Conference in Mombasa in this photo taken on November 13, 2025.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation
The TSC boss outlined five strategic priorities for the Commission: strengthening teacher professional development, enhancing instructional leadership, leveraging technology, promoting professional ethics, and building partnerships with key education stakeholders.
Dr Muturi underscored the pivotal role of head teachers as instructional leaders who bridge policy and practice, urging them to mentor younger teachers and model ethical leadership.
“As heads of institutions, you are the custodians of quality education in your communities. Leadership is not about authority; it is about influence, inspiration, and integrity,” he told the school heads.
Acknowledging the challenges of teacher shortages, resource gaps, and the transition to CBE, he called for unity and optimism, promising continued advocacy for improved teacher welfare and inclusive promotion policies.
