The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has called on educators to actively engage in continuous learning to strengthen the implementation of Competency-Based Education (CBE) across Kenya.
Speaking at the Kenya Primary School Heads Association (Kepsha) conference in Mombasa on Friday, TSC Chairperson Jamleck Muturi said modern teaching demands professionals who are knowledgeable, adaptable, and uphold high ethical standards.
He encouraged teachers from over 23,000 primary schools to participate fully in the Commission’s Teacher Professional Development (TPD) programme.
The mandatory programme offers in-service training designed to improve teaching methods, subject mastery, and overall classroom performance.
"There is therefore, need to enrol and continuously engage in upscaling your competencies through professional development to remain relevant in your area of expertise. You need to embrace the culture of lifelong learning," Muturi said.
He explained that CBE shifts the focus from traditional content-based lessons to fostering skills, values, and competencies. Teachers are expected to help students develop critical thinking, effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities.
Muturi urged educators to move beyond simply delivering content and instead act as mentors, facilitators, and coaches in the classroom.
"When we speak of upskilling, we speak of empowering teachers with the knowledge, tools, and mindsets necessary to deliver CBE effectively," he said.
He highlighted that the CBE framework requires competencies in curriculum design, classroom management, digital skills, inclusive learning, assessment for learning, and reflective teaching practice.
Professionalism, he noted, goes beyond academic qualifications to include ethics, integrity, and accountability.
"Professionalism is not simply about qualification; it is about attitude, ethics, accountability, and lifelong learning. It means that teachers must continually refine their craft, adhere to the Code of Conduct and Ethics, and demonstrate integrity in their work," Muturi added.
The TSC chairperson commended the Commission’s progress over the last decade, including registering over one million qualified teachers, decentralising services, ensuring fair deployment, and digitising key systems such as transfers and appraisals.
"From August this year, we have automated teacher transfers to enhance fairness, effectiveness, and efficiency in service delivery," he said.
Muturi outlined five strategic areas of focus for the Commission: promoting professional development, strengthening instructional leadership, integrating technology, fostering professional ethics, and collaborating with education stakeholders.
He called on headteachers to guide younger teachers and exemplify ethical leadership in their institutions.
"As heads of institutions, you are the custodians of quality education in your communities. Leadership is not about authority; it is about influence, inspiration, and integrity," he told the school leaders.
Acknowledging challenges such as teacher shortages, gaps in resources, and the transition to CBE, Muturi urged unity and optimism while pledging continued advocacy for teacher welfare and inclusive promotion policies.
