KUCCPS opens August window to upgrade P1 and ECDE certificates to diploma

Teachers holding Primary Teacher Education (P1) and Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) certificates now have a new chance to advance their academic qualifications, thanks to a fresh initiative by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).

This opportunity aligns with ongoing reforms in the education sector, particularly around the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

The government agency on Thursday announced that it had opened its application portal for teachers seeking to upgrade to a Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE).

The application window is open throughout August 2025, with successful candidates expected to begin their studies immediately.

“Here’s a chance to upgrade your qualification to Diploma level. Apply for placement to Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE) through KUCCPS,” read part of the notice released on KUCCPS official platforms.

The announcement comes as a much-needed boost for thousands of trained P1 and ECDE teachers who have for years sought opportunities to align their credentials with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which now demands higher qualification standards from educators.

Eligible teachers must hold a valid certificate in P1 or ECDE to qualify for the diploma upgrade. All applications will be submitted online via the dedicated portal: teachersupgrade.kuccps.ac.ke.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Ministry of Education have long emphasized the need for all educators to possess at least a Diploma in Primary Teacher Education to teach under the new curriculum framework.

The CBC Taskforce Report, submitted in 2022, recommended continuous professional development and upgrading of teachers' qualifications as a national priority. The report raised concerns that thousands of P1 and ECDE-trained teachers were ill-prepared to deliver the new curriculum without further training.

“We are not just talking about a change in content, but a complete shift in how we engage learners. That shift requires upskilled and better-trained teachers,” said Prof. Fatuma Chege, the former Principal Secretary of the State Department for Curriculum Reforms, during a previous education stakeholders' meeting.