If you want a Teachers Service Commission (TSC) secondary or junior school post in the 2026/2027 recruitment, your two teaching subjects must match your KCSE results as well as your training. Circular No. 15/2026 of 13 August 2026 sets out which subjects you may apply under, and the KCSE grades required for each.
The basic rule
Applicants must have studied their two designated teaching subjects at KCSE. Four subjects are exempt from this: Agriculture, Business Studies, Home Science and Computer Studies. The exemptions work as follows:
| If you did not study at KCSE | You must have at least |
|---|---|
| Business Studies or Computer Studies | C+ in Mathematics |
| Agriculture or Home Science | C+ in Biology |
Related subjects you can apply under
TSC allows these substitutions:
- Business Studies: open to applicants with Economics, Commerce or Accounting.
- CRE/IRE: open to applicants with Social Education and Ethics (SEE).
- Fine Art: open to applicants with Drawing and Design, or Art and Design.
Subjects with a minimum KCSE grade
Applicants trained in these subjects must have at least C+ at KCSE in the corresponding subject:
| Trained in | Minimum C+ in |
|---|---|
| P.E., Sports and Recreation | Biology |
| Theatre and Film | Any language |
English, Literature, KSL and Braille
- English/Literature: diploma teachers with English or other subjects qualify as English/Literature teachers if they have adequate units in both Language and Literature.
- KSL and Braille: Kenya Sign Language and Braille are instructional subjects within Special Needs Education. The circular gives Biology/KSL and Geography/Braille as examples.
New CBE learning areas
Applicants who studied the new CBE learning areas are eligible to apply. The circular names integrated science, Pre-Technical Studies, Creative Arts, Sports and Social Studies.
KCSE grades that apply to every applicant
| Level | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Graduate teachers | Mean grade C+ and C+ in each of the two teaching subjects (or two principals and one subsidiary pass at A-Level) |
| Diploma teachers | Mean grade C+ or equivalent, with C+ in the two teaching subjects of specialisation |
| Diploma teachers, English | C- |
| Diploma teachers, Mathematics | C (plain) for science-based courses; D+ for non-science courses |
The circular lists exceptions for earlier graduates, applicants with hearing or visual impairments and other cases. They will be covered in a separate article.
Units, methods and practice
Graduate teachers need at least eight course units in each teaching subject. They must also have studied teaching methods in both subjects and completed a minimum of three months of teaching practice. Enhancement of units counts only if you did not reach the minimum units during your degree or diploma.
If you studied a third teaching subject, you must show that you completed all its units, including teaching methods and practice, over four years at an institution. You must also show the required credit hours.
Check before you apply
TSC says recruitment guidelines and adverts are published only on its official website and verified channels, so confirm any list of subjects you receive there. For qualification questions on the guidelines, contact your TSC County Director. See also the secondary and junior school recruitment guidelines and secondary vacancies by county.