The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced a new training programme for teachers who will handle five learning areas under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), with the exercise set to begin on November 23, 2026.
TSC Acting Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei said the Commission was at an advanced stage of preparing teachers for the new curriculum learning areas, which include creative arts, music and dance, theatre and film, media technology and media studies.
Speaking during the Kenya Comprehensive Schools Heads Association (KESHA) National AGM and Conference in Mombasa on Monday, November 9, Mitei said the Commission had partnered with the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) to equip teachers with the relevant skills and expertise.
“I wish to confirm that the Commission is at an advanced stage in preparing the teachers in the new learning areas of the curriculum, namely creative arts, music and dance, theatre and film, media technology and media studies,” she said.
TSC to Train Teachers in Music, Dance, Theatre and Film From November 23
She explained that the partnership would introduce practical training by drawing on KIMC’s expertise, equipment and facilities at its training centres across the country.
“The Commission this time round is injecting expertise in these areas through collaboration and partnership with the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication,” Mitei stated.
“This will prepare our teachers in real practice training in the new curriculum using the experts, the equipment and the facilities in the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication training centres across the country. And this will be done effective 23rd of November this year.”
The training is expected to equip teachers with practical skills needed to deliver the new learning areas and improve the quality of instruction under the CBC.
The latest training announcement comes months after TSC raised concerns over a shortage of teachers in emerging learning areas under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum, calling on universities to redesign their training programmes to address the gaps.
In July 2026, the commission identified several subjects requiring more specialised teachers, particularly at the senior school level, and urged universities to introduce and strengthen courses targeting the emerging areas.
Speaking during a Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) stakeholder meeting on Wednesday, July 8, TSC Director of Teacher Education and Capacity Development Reuben Namburi said universities needed to reorganise their curricula to prepare teachers for the changing demands of the education system.
Among the areas identified were building and construction, aviation, woodwork, creative arts, media technology, marine and fisheries, pre-technical studies, integrated science, home science, music and dance, theatre and film, as well as sports and recreation.
Namburi said many of the subjects were relatively new under the CBE framework and required specialised training that was not yet available in sufficient numbers.
“And particularly we are pleading with universities to begin reorganising curricula so as to rebuild courses that have the following subjects: building and construction, woodwork, among others,” Namburi stated.
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TSC Calls for Continuous Teacher Development
Beyond the new training programme, Mitei urged school administrators to make professional development a continuous practice in their institutions.
She emphasised that teachers should receive consistent support to build their skills and competencies, rather than treating professional development as a one-off exercise.
Mitei added that teachers’ professional competencies were essential to improving learning outcomes, urging school heads to invest in their development.
“Let us make professional development a continuous culture in our schools. It is not a one-off activity. Support our teachers to keep growing and developing themselves,” she said.
“And that is the only way our learners will achieve if our teachers are competent.”
Also Read: TSC Announces Fresh Recruitment of 7,720 Teachers on Permanent Terms
TSC Expands Digital Training for Junior School Teachers
Mit further highlighted the commission’s efforts to strengthen digital learning in schools through the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP), implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of ICT and the ICT Authority with support from the World Bank.
She said 62,000 junior school teachers had been trained on the use of digital devices and the programme.
The initiative also involves distributing digital devices to schools to improve the quality and effectiveness of teaching and learning.
According to Mit, the distribution of devices to 10,000 junior schools had been launched and was ongoing across the country, while the remaining 11,000 schools were expected to receive the devices by April 2027, alongside the rollout of fibre-optic internet connectivity.
She urged school heads to empower ICT champions, strengthen digital infrastructure, and ensure technology becomes part of everyday teaching, assessment, and school management.
The CEO also cautioned institutions against keeping digital devices locked away in offices instead of using them to support classroom learning.
She maintained that teachers must embrace continuous learning to keep pace with changes in the curriculum and the growing role of technology in education.
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