NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan teachers undertaking in-service training could soon sit examinations and earn certificates or diplomas under proposals contained in the Pre-Service Education and In-Service Training Bill, 2026.
The Bill proposes establishing the Kenya School of Education (KSE), a new institution responsible for developing, evaluating, and conducting in-service training programmes for teachers, in collaboration with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and other government agencies.
Under the proposed framework, teachers and other persons undertaking training at the School would sit examinations, with those who successfully complete their programmes eligible for certificates and diplomas.
The proposed reforms seek to make continuous professional development a more structured part of the teaching profession, extending training beyond initial teacher qualification to cover teachers already in service as well as education managers and school leaders.
Kenya School of Education to oversee teacher training
The proposed Kenya School of Education would develop in-service training programmes in collaboration with the TSC and relevant government agencies.
It would also evaluate training programmes offered by the institution and work with government agencies, private-sector organisations and international partners to conduct professional development programmes.
The School would additionally offer induction courses to newly appointed members of county education boards, boards of management and parents-teachers associations.
Its responsibilities would include providing consultancy and research services to support policy development and in-service training, promoting public awareness and advising the Cabinet Secretary on matters relating to teacher training.
The proposed institution would therefore serve as a central platform for continuing professional development across different levels of the education system.
Training could become part of teachers’ professional careers
For teachers already in employment, the proposed law would establish a framework for continued professional development.
The training would extend beyond classroom teachers to include education managers and school leaders, potentially making continuous training a more formal component of a teacher’s professional career.
The reforms could also have implications for teacher licensing, as the Bill links professional preparation and registration requirements to formal teacher education.
People seeking registration as teachers would be required to undertake pre-service education in accordance with the Teachers Service Commission Act.
The Bill further provides that pre-service education would follow programmes, curricula and curriculum support materials developed by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
Students undertaking pre-service education would be assessed by the Kenya National Educational Assessments Council (KNEAC), with those who pass the assessments receiving certificates and diplomas.
How the proposed school would be managed
The Kenya School of Education would be governed by a Board chaired by a person appointed by the President.
The proposed Board would include representatives from the State Department responsible for basic education, the National Treasury, the Attorney-General, the State Department responsible for intergovernmental relations, the Teachers Service Commission and KICD.
The Cabinet Secretary would also appoint three members who are not public officers, while the School’s chief executive officer would serve as an ex-officio member without voting rights.
The chairperson and the three appointed members would serve three-year terms and could be reappointed for one additional three-year term, subject to satisfactory performance.
The Board would be responsible for administering the School’s assets and managing its finances, including operating bank accounts.
It would also determine, in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary, the fees payable by people undertaking in-service training.
The Board would have authority to receive gifts, grants and donations and enter into partnerships to support the institution’s work.
It would further be responsible for regulating the conduct and discipline of people undertaking in-service training at the School.
