Massive TSC Retooling Exercise Set For August 2025: Thousands Of Senior School Teachers To Be Trained On CBC Curriculum Delivery

TSC Latest Memo: Retooling Of Senior School Teachers On CBE In August 2025 .

In preparation for the full rollout of Competency-Based Education (CBE) in senior secondary schools, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced a nationwide retooling exercise for senior school teachers. The training is scheduled to take place from 28th July to 15th August 2025 and will involve face-to-face sessions at designated county venues.

 

This comprehensive initiative, which adopts a smart cascade training model, brings together various key education agencies, including the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI), Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), the Ministry of Education (MoE), and other stakeholders.

 

Why the Retooling Exercise is Important

As the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) transitions into the senior school level, educators must be well-equipped to handle specialized learning pathways. These pathways are structured to reflect students’ strengths, interests, and talents. They include the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) track, the Social Sciences pathway, and the Arts and Sports Science track.

 

The retooling exercise is designed to ensure that teachers are prepared to guide learners through these new areas with the required pedagogical and professional expertise.

 

Key Dates and Phases of the Training

The training will be conducted in stages over the three-week period, with each stage involving different groups of participants:

 

From 28th July to 1st August 2025, training for Master Trainers will take place at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE). Participants will include representatives from institutions such as TSC, KICD, KNEC, KEMI, CEMASTEA, MoE, and teacher training colleges.

 

From 4th to 8th August 2025, Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) for both regular and special needs education (SNE) will undergo face-to-face training in selected county venues. These trainers will include Curriculum Support Officers, Teacher Educators, Sub County Directors, and experienced teachers.

 

On 9th August 2025, Master Trainers and ToTs will meet with County Directors to coordinate training activities at the county and sub-county levels.

 

From 8th to 15th August 2025, the actual retooling of senior school teachers will take place. Teachers will be grouped according to subjects, covering both SNE and regular classes.

 

Subjects Covered Under the Senior School Curriculum

The retooling will focus on all subjects offered under the senior school CBC framework. These include:

 

English

Kiswahili

Kenya Sign Language

Physical Education

Community Service Learning

Literature in English

Fasihi ya Kiswahili

Sign Language

Arabic

French

German

Mandarin Chinese

Indigenous Languages

History and Citizenship

Geography

Christian Religious Education

Islamic Religious Education

Hindu Religious Education

Business Studies

Music and Dance

Theatre and Film

Fine Arts

Sports and Recreation

Mathematics

Physics

Chemistry

Biology

General Science

Agriculture

Computer Studies

Home Science

Aviation

Building and Construction

Electricity

Metalwork

Power Mechanics

Woodwork

Media Technology

 

Who Will Participate in the Retooling Exercise?

The training targets teachers who are currently teaching in secondary schools, vocational institutions, and special needs education centers. Teachers will be grouped into three major pathways based on their subject specializations:

 

1. STEM pathway which includes pure sciences, applied sciences, and technical studies.

2. Social Sciences pathway covering languages, humanities, and business studies.

3. Arts and Sports Science which includes creative arts, physical education, and music.

 

Criteria for Selecting Teachers to Attend the Training

 

TSC has provided a structured formula for selecting teachers based on the number of teachers currently on duty at a school. The breakdown is as follows:

 

Schools with 1 to 4 teachers on duty will nominate 2 teachers

Schools with 5 to 7 teachers will nominate 3 teachers

Schools with 8 to 12 teachers will nominate 4 teachers

Schools with 13 to 18 teachers will nominate 6 teachers

Schools with 19 to 28 teachers will nominate 8 teachers

Schools with 29 to 36 teachers will nominate 10 teachers

Schools with 37 to 45 teachers will nominate 15 teachers

Schools with 46 to 54 teachers will nominate 20 teachers

Schools with 55 to 70 teachers will nominate 25 teachers

Schools with over 70 teachers will nominate 30 teachers

 

Special Needs Education (SNE) teachers will be selected based on their areas of specialization, including hearing impairment, visual impairment, physical handicap, and mental handicap.

 

How the Training Will Be Conducted

The training will follow a face-to-face smart cascade approach. It will unfold in the following stages:

 

Master Trainers will train the Trainers of Teachers (ToTs) in a five-day session. These ToTs must be proficient in one or more of the subjects listed in the senior school curriculum.

After ToT training, Master Trainers and County Directors will hold coordination meetings to finalize logistics for teacher retooling at the grassroots level.

The ToTs will then lead face-to-face training sessions for the selected teachers across the counties.

Each training class will accommodate approximately 60 teachers and will be facilitated by three ToTs to ensure effective instruction and personalized support.

Training will be residential for teachers from Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) and SNE institutions, while non-ASAL teachers will attend non-residential training sessions.

SNE teachers will be trained according to their specialization fields to ensure relevant professional development.

 

Administrative Roles and Expectations

County and regional education officers have been instructed to:

 

Nominate eligible ToTs and senior school teachers across STEM, Social Sciences, and Arts pathways.

Include a fair number of SNE and vocational education teachers in the nominations.

Ensure that teachers from private institutions are also invited, although these teachers will be required to cover their own transport, meals, and accommodation.

Select appropriate training venues equipped with the necessary infrastructure to support smooth learning.

Coordinate county and sub-county level logistics including reporting and data collection.

Submit detailed teacher training reports and data summaries to the Director of Teacher Professional Management immediately after the retooling exercise.

 

Importance of This Retooling Initiative

This programme is a vital step toward strengthening the implementation of CBE across Kenyan senior schools. It goes beyond conventional professional development by offering educators practical knowledge and pedagogical strategies tailored to the demands of the new curriculum. It also affirms TSC’s commitment to ensuring that teachers are not left behind as the education system evolves to emphasize skills, values, and learner competence over rote memorization.

 

By sharpening the instructional capabilities of teachers, TSC is laying a strong foundation for learners to thrive in various career and life paths. Teachers will be better equipped to personalize instruction, promote learner agency, and deliver impactful classroom experiences aligned with global education standards.

 

Conclusion

The August 2025 teacher retooling programme by the Teachers Service Commission is a transformative investment in the future of Kenyan education. As the CBE model takes root, well-prepared teachers will serve as the key drivers of this transition. This training not only equips them with the right tools but also strengthens the education sector’s capacity to meet the evolving needs of learners and the job market.

TSC Latest Memo: Retooling Of Senior School Teachers On CBE In August 2025 .