The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has scheduled a nationwide retooling exercise for senior school teachers to support implementation of Competency Based Education (CBE). The programme runs from 1st to 19th December 2025 and uses a smart cascade, face-to-face training model targeting teachers who were not retooled in August 2025.
Key Takeaways
- When: 1–19 December 2025 (Master Trainers, ToTs and teacher clusters).
- Who: Senior school teachers (regular, SNE and vocational instructors) who were not retooled in August 2025.
- How: Smart cascade model — Master Trainers → Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) → teachers (face-to-face).
- Clusters: Teachers grouped by pathway: STEM, Social Sciences and Arts & Sports.
- Reporting: Counties must compile and submit training reports and summary data to the Director, Teacher Professional Management (TPM).
Retooling of senior school teachers in CBE: overview
The retooling aims to equip senior school teachers with practical skills and subject-specific competencies to deliver CBE effectively. Training will be delivered in selected county venues and will include targeted modules for both regular and Special Needs Education (SNE) teachers.
Training schedule and participants
The training follows a three-stage cascade:
- 1–3 December 2025 — Master Trainers: National workshop at KISE for TSC, KICD, KNEC, KEMI, CEMASTEA, MOE, KISE and TTC representatives.
- 8–12 December 2025 — ToTs (Training of Trainers): County-level ToTs drawn from Curriculum Support Officers, teacher educators (TTC tutors), TSC Sub-County Directors, MOE QAS officers and champion teachers. ToTs will be trained for five days.
- 15–19 December 2025 — Teacher retooling: Face-to-face retooling for senior school teachers clustered by subject pathways.
Target participants and subject pathways
Target participants include currently deployed teachers in secondary schools, SNE units and vocational centres who missed the August retooling. Teachers will be grouped by pathway:
- STEM: Pure sciences, applied sciences and technical studies (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Studies, technical trades).
- Social Sciences: Languages, humanities and business (English, Kiswahili, History, Geography, CRE/IRE/HRE, Business Studies).
- Arts & Sports: Arts, music, theatre, fine arts and physical education.
The circular also lists senior school subjects covered, including languages (Arabic, French, German, Mandarin), sign language, agriculture, home science, engineering trades and emerging subjects such as media technology and aviation.
Selection criteria for teacher nomination
Counties will nominate teachers based on the number of teachers on duty at each school. The memorandum provides the following nomination guidance:
- 1–4 teachers on duty: nominate 2 participants
- 5–7 teachers on duty: nominate 3 participants
- 8–12 teachers on duty: nominate 4 participants
- 13–18 teachers on duty: nominate 6 participants
- 19–28 teachers on duty: nominate 8 participants
- 29–36 teachers on duty: nominate 10 participants
- 37–45 teachers on duty: nominate 15 participants
- 46–54 teachers on duty: nominate 20 participants
- 55–70 teachers on duty: nominate 25 participants
- 71 and above: nominate 30 participants
Mode of training and logistics
The retooling will be delivered face-to-face using a multi-agency smart cascade model. Key operational notes:
- ToTs must be proficient in subject content and pedagogy.
- Each regular-teacher class is expected to host up to 60 participants and be supported by 3 ToTs for effective coaching.
- The exercise is residential for ASAL areas and SNE clusters; it is non-residential for non-ASAL counties.
- SNE teachers will be clustered by specialization (HI, VI, MH, PH) and trained on adapted CBE strategies.
- Counties should choose convenient venues with appropriate infrastructure to minimise travel time and costs.
Responsibilities for county and sub-county directors
- Nominate and invite ToTs including TSC Sub-County Directors, Curriculum Support Officers, tutors and MOE QAS officers.
- Invite senior school teachers and vocational centre instructors who missed August training.
- Ensure even subject distribution across pathways and include private school teachers (who will self-fund transport, meals and accommodation).
- Coordinate county/sub-county meetings, identify suitable venues and provide logistical support for residential ToTs and participants where required.
- Collect and submit teacher training reports and the summary county data template to the Director TPM immediately after the exercise.
How teachers should prepare
Teachers preparing for retooling should familiarise themselves with the senior-school CBE curriculum and pathway-based materials. Useful resources include subject and curriculum packs for senior school and Grade 11 curriculum designs to review expected learning outcomes and assessment approaches.
- Grade 11 curriculum designs — useful for pathway planning and subject progression.
- Senior school curriculum designs — reference materials aligned to CBE pathways.
- CBC curriculum designs — general CBE frameworks and course material authorship.
Reporting and next steps
After training, counties must compile ToT reports and county/sub-county summary data as per the template provided in the circular. The Director, Teacher Professional Management will use these reports to monitor coverage and follow up on professional support needs. Master Trainers will also offer ongoing support during the county trainings.
If you are a teacher or county official involved in the retooling, ensure timely nomination, confirm venue arrangements and review the pathway curriculum resources before attending the workshop.
