Kenya's Parliament is reviewing the Pre-Service Education and In-Service Training Bill, 2026 (National Assembly Bill No. 52 of 2026), a legislation aimed at transforming teacher preparation and ongoing professional development.
Key Reforms in Teacher Training
- The bill mandates pre-service education aligned with the Teachers Service Commission Act, linking teacher registration to formal training.
- Curricula and training materials will be developed by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development to ensure consistency with school expectations.
- Teacher preparation will adopt the Competency-Based Education model, emphasizing practical skills and outcome-focused learning.
- Creation of the Kenya Teachers Training College to centralize pre-service education, research, and advisory functions to the Education Cabinet Secretary.
- Consolidation of pre-primary and primary teacher training into a single Diploma in Teacher Education for Pre-Primary and Primary.
In-Service Training and Professional Growth
- The bill establishes a framework for continuous professional development applicable to classroom teachers, education managers, and school leaders.
- Ongoing training will become a formal requirement in a teacher’s career, potentially affecting licensing and career progression.
Quality Assurance and Implementation Challenges
- Standards for regulation and quality assurance in teacher training institutions will be set to monitor delivery and outcomes.
- While the reforms aim to enhance teacher readiness and curriculum delivery, concerns remain about access to training, transitional arrangements for current students, and resource demands.
These reforms come amid Kenya's ongoing rollout of Competency-Based Education, seeking to strengthen education quality through better teacher preparation and management.
