Lobby seeks independent body to regulate teachers

An education lobby group has launched a campaign pushing for the formation of an independent body to oversee the regulation of teachers, arguing that the current structure under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is inadequate for ensuring accountability and professionalism in the sector.

In a detailed memorandum submitted to the TSC, the Education Stakeholders Association of Kenya (Esak) stated that the commission’s dual role as both employer and regulator has created significant challenges in enforcing ethical standards, promoting professional growth, and ensuring proper oversight in the teaching profession.

“It is time for Kenya to establish a professional body separate from TSC to set and enforce teaching standards, license educators and drive continuous professional development—just like in other professions such as medicine and law,” said Esak National Chairman Fuad Abdallah Ali.

Fuad explained that the proposed body would be tasked with developing professional standards, issuing licenses to educators, ensuring adherence to ethical guidelines, and handling disciplinary cases.

According to Esak, this structure would mirror other professions where regulators operate independently from employers, ensuring fairness and quality control.

The association insists that the current arrangement does not provide room for independent oversight.

It said allowing one institution to handle recruitment, regulation, and discipline creates a conflict of interest, which limits transparency and weakens mechanisms for enforcing standards.

“Allowing one body to hire, discipline and regulate teachers compromises objectivity. We need an independent institution that can uphold accountability without bias or conflicting interests,” said Esak National Secretary Ndung’u Wangenye.

The group also expressed concern over increasing cases of people applying for teaching jobs using forged or unverifiable documents.

They warned that unregistered individuals, some with fake certificates, are securing positions in schools due to a lack of verification tools.

As part of its proposals, Esak recommended the creation of a real-time online system that would allow institutions to verify teacher registration and support the enforcement of professional standards in the sector.

The lobby further criticised instances where politicians are conducting holiday tuition sessions despite not being registered teachers, saying this undermines the integrity of curriculum delivery and sends the wrong message about professionalism in the sector.

In addition, Esak urged the TSC to fast-track the processing of pensions and gratuities for teachers who have retired or are approaching retirement, calling for improved efficiency in handling teachers' welfare.