TSC Lists Approved Subject Combinations For Secondary School Teachers

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) released the official list of approved subject combinations for secondary school teaching courses in Kenya.

Selecting an approved combination is crucial as it determines a graduate’s eligibility for employment and overall career prospects in the teaching profession.

According to the TSC circular, approved combinations span Science, Languages, Mathematics, Technical, and Humanities subjects, and determine a graduate’s eligibility for recruitment in public secondary schools.

Graduates who pursued courses outside the TSC-approved lists risk being deemed ineligible for teaching positions, even after completing their training, potentially limiting their career opportunities.

Further, TSC noted that training for secondary school teachers in Kenya must adhere to the existing syllabi and course guidelines issued by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD). 

Additionally, guidance and oversight for teacher training can be obtained from the quality assurance department of the Ministry of Education, ensuring that training programs meet national standards and maintain consistency across institutions.

All teaching candidates should confirm their subject combinations are recognised before applying for jobs or KUCCPS placements to avoid future employment issues.

Approved TSC Subject Combinations

According to TSC, approved Science Combinations include Chemistry & Biology, Chemistry & Physics, Biology & Geography, Agriculture & Geography, Agriculture & Biology, Agriculture & Chemistry, Home Science & Biology, and Physics & Computer.

Also Read: TSC to Employ Teachers from TVET for Technical Subjects in Senior Schools

Language Combinations feature English & Literature; Kiswahili paired with CRE, History, Geography, IRE, Home Science, or P.E.; German & Geography, CRE, History; French & Geography, Business Studies, CRE, History; and Arabic & IRE.

Mathematics Combinations include Mathematics paired with Business Studies, Geography, Computer, Chemistry, Biology, or Physics.

Technical Combinations consist of: Metal Work & Mathematics; Metal Work & Physics; Woodwork & Mathematics; Woodwork & Physics; Electricity & Mathematics; Electricity & Physics; Fine Arts & History; Art & Geography; and Art & Design paired with History or Geography.

Humanities Combinations cover Geography & CRE, History & CRE, Geography & History, Geography & IRE, History & IRE, History & P.E., Geography & P.E., Geography & Business Studies, Home Science & History, Home Science & CRE, Special Needs Education & P.E., and Music & P.E.

KUCCPS Subject Requirements for Students Pursuing a Degree in Education

The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has specific subject requirements for students who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Education degree.

Also Read: Full List of KUCCPS Degree Courses Across 20 Clusters

For most Education courses, the minimum grade required to teach the subjects is C+ (Plus).

Each subject can only be counted once within a cluster combination. For most science-related education degrees, Mathematics Alternative A is a mandatory requirement.

Language-based education degrees, such as French, German, or Music, require a minimum grade of C+ in the specific subject.

Options of teaching subjects include English, Kiswahili, Mathematics (Alternative A or B), History and Government, Geography, CRE, IRE, HRE, Social Education and Ethics (SEE), Home Science (HSC), Art and Design (ARD), Computer Studies, French, German, Arabic, Kenyan Sign Language, Music, or Business Studies (BST).