The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has begun P1 teachers deployment to special schools and units to close persistent staffing gaps in Special Needs Education (SNE). Sub-county teams are already collecting teacher data, and the Commission will process verified applications for placement to appropriate special schools or units based on each teacher’s SNE training and qualifications.
Key Takeaways
- Deployment focus: primary (P1) teachers with Diploma or Degree in Special Needs Education (SNE) are being prioritised for special schools and units.
- Data collection: Sub-counties are capturing teacher details (often via Google Forms) for rapid verification and placement.
- Shortages and targets: Special needs schools face a shortage; TSC has staged deployments over several phases to address this.
- Junior secondary (JSS) plans: TSC also plans further P1 deployments to junior schools, subject to budget and qualification checks.
P1 teachers deployment: what’s happening now
TSC has commenced the first deployment batch this year for P1 teachers to special schools and units. The exercise is part of a broader plan to rebalance staffing where some special schools are severely understaffed while primary schools reported an oversupply of teachers.
Many sub-counties are running local data collection drives. Where teachers meet the requirements, details are forwarded to TSC Curriculum Support Officers (CSOs) who verify and process deployments quickly.
Who is being prioritised?
The Commission is prioritising P1 teachers who hold a Diploma or Degree in Special Needs Education (SNE). Deployments aim to match a teacher’s area of SNE training with the needs of the receiving special school or unit. Common SNE specialisms include:
- Hearing Impairment (HI)
- Visual Impairment (VI)
- Mental Health (MH)
- Autism
- Cerebral Palsy (CP)
- Deaf-blindness
Required details and verification
TSC collects a standard set of details before deployment. These usually include:
- Teacher name and TSC number
- County, Sub-county and Zone
- Current school and proposed special school/unit
- Phone number and area of SNE training
Verification requires original and copy documents such as degree/diploma certificates, transcripts, SNE qualification where applicable, KCSE certificate and a current payslip. A declaration from the head of institution confirming the teacher is serving and not under interdiction is also required.
Deployment history and targets
TSC has been running P1 deployments since 2019. In earlier years, small yearly deployments placed P1 teachers in secondary schools as a career progression route. More recently, the Commission has accelerated deployments to support the new junior secondary structure and special needs provision.
Recent activity includes phased deployments due to budget constraints: an initial phase in September 2024, a second in January 2025, and another phase from June 2025. Last year the Commission aimed for 3,600 deployments to special schools and units, and earlier it hired and deployed 1,763 teachers in May 2024.
Official figures show special needs schools face a shortfall of several thousand teachers, while some primary schools reported a surplus. TSC also plans to deploy P1 teachers to junior secondary schools after budget approval, continuing efforts to staff JSS adequately.
Eligibility for deployment to junior secondary schools (JSS)
P1 teachers who wish to move to JSS must meet clear academic and professional standards. Key requirements include:
- Active registration with TSC and current employment as a primary school teacher.
- No ongoing interdiction or disciplinary process.
- A minimum of a Diploma in Education plus at least C+ at KCSE (or equivalent) with C+ in two teaching subjects. Alternatively, specified A-level passes or a Bachelor of Education (not Bachelor of Education Primary Option).
- Presentation of original certificates and transcripts during verification.
Many P1 teachers lack the specific subject or degree qualifications required for JSS placements. When adverts are open, qualified teachers will apply through the published portal using TSC number, ID and surname to submit applications.
How teachers can prepare
Teachers seeking deployment should do the following:
- Confirm active TSC registration and current employment status.
- Gather original/digital copies of degree/diploma certificates and academic transcripts.
- Ensure any SNE certification is available and correctly recorded.
- Monitor TSC announcements for portal openings and submission instructions.
Teachers upgrading their qualifications may also want to review past papers and study resources to meet deployment requirements. For example, those pursuing a Diploma in Education can practise with Diploma in Education past papers. Teachers moving to junior secondary roles should familiarise themselves with JSS curriculum materials such as the JSS curriculum designs and available CBC lesson plans.
What to expect next
TSC will continue phased deployments as funds and verified candidate pools allow. Special schools and units will receive placements according to verified need and the teacher’s SNE specialism. Deployments to junior schools are expected to follow budget approval and notification of the application window.
Teachers should regularly check official TSC communications and prepare documentation in advance to improve their chances during verification and placement.
