TSC Marketable Subject Combinations for Secondary Schools

by | Aug 3, 2020 | TEACHING | 109 comments

When you are just starting out with the education course in Kenya you might be a bit confused as to what subjects combination you should take. This article will guide you through some of the TSC marketable subject combinations in Kenya today.

Every year, the Teachers Service Commission publishes an advert for the replacement of teachers who have exited the teaching service, maybe through retirement or natural attrition.

Also, the government may time to time provides funds to the TSC to recruit teachers under what is called the mass recruitment of teachers exercise.

The terms of recruitment can be permanent and pensionable, and sometimes on a contract basis. Teachers who serve on contract are normally given priority in interviews when teacher jobs on a permanent basis are announced.

Before enrolling for any secondary school education, you must have scored a mean grade of at least C+ in KCSE, and C+ in the two subject combinations you wish to pursue.

We have gone through the TSC teacher adverts and taken note of the most marketable subject combinations, which are normally presented to TSC by the respective secondary schools.

It is worth noting that getting a teaching job with the TSC depends on three factors;

  • Subject combination
  • Length of stay after graduation and
  • Willingness to work in any part of the country
Read Also:   How to Apply for TSC Number and Certificate Online and the Requirements

Most Marketable Subject Combinations in Kenya

On the top of the list of marketable subjects in education are the following combinations;

  1. Biology and Chemistry
  2. Mathematics and Physics
  3. Physics and Chemistry
  4. Mathematics and Chemistry
  5. English and Literature
  6. Biology and Agriculture
  7. Computer/Mathematics or Computer and any other combination
  8. IRE and any combination e.g History

These subject combinations are appearing quite often in the TSC list of post-primary school teacher vacancies.

Other common subject combinations in Kenya include;

  1. Kiswahili and CRE
  2. Kiswahili and History
  3. Kiswahili and Geography
  4. History and CRE
  5. History and Geography
  6. Geography and CRE
  7. Mathematics and Biology
  8. Mathematics and Geography

There is a rare combination, Business/Geography, which has started to come up, but currently few schools are filing for vacancies in this category.

Read: Courses You Can do With a D+, D or D-.

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109 Comments

  1. Kipyego evans

    Can someone take a subject in University that he dropped in high school?

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Unfortunately no Evans. TSC requires you to have done the two teaching subjects and scored at least C+. Unless it’s computer. You can use physics instead.

      Reply
      • Lucy

        Hello can I do a combination of English and geography plz and is it marketable

        Reply
        • Ezekiel M.
            It’s rare and has very few slots in school requests to TSC.
            Yes you can combine English with any humanity in most universities and ttcs that offer education.
          Reply
    • Patrick

      No, you must have score C+ and above in that subject,,,,,,how do you want to become a specialist in the subject you never study in high school

      Reply
  2. Juma

    Hello, is there any agriculture combination other than Agriculture/Biology

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Hi, Bio/Agri is the most common combination. But according to September 2020 recruitment of teachers, other rare combinations requested by some schools are Agri/PE, Agri/Geo and Agri/CRE. They appeared one time each only.

      Reply
      • Felix buret

        Hi I would like to do technical subject course specifically art and design/geography combination which university or college offers this?

        Reply
      • Susan Weru

        Hello,is Bachelor of science in Agricultural education and extension recognized by tsc?

        Reply
        • Ezekiel Ochami

          Yes, it is recognized. You can teach Agriculture and Biology.

          Reply
  3. Samuel Ng’ang’a

    Is Bachelors of Arts with Education recognized by TSC ?

    Reply
  4. Sharon

    Can I take computer/cre,or homescience/cre ?

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Not a common combination demanded by schools.

      Reply
  5. Elizabeth

    Does tsc recognize Bed. Home economics

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Yes Elizabeth, TSC fully recognizes BED in Home Economics.

      Reply
  6. Dennis

    Is there combination for history and business

    Reply
      • Kariuki Chris

        Am doing this combination too and am afraid of not getting a job..kindly advice me

        Reply
    • Wanyonyi Samwel Juma

      Is history business a marketable combination course?

      Reply
  7. Dennis Mwangi

    Is there chem/Agri combination and AGRI/CRE combination??

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      No the combinations are not employable any more hence not pursued nowadays.

      Reply
  8. Ephraim

    Hello which are some of the Geography combinations on demand in schools..?

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Hello Ephraim. Geography/Maths is a rarety in demand. You can also go for Geography/History, in demand but has many people.

      Reply
  9. FRANKLINE LAGAT

    History/business actually a good combination

    Reply
  10. mark

    is computer/physics marketable

    Reply
  11. FRANKLINE LAGAT

    What of business and computer

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Rare and not common. But many schools normally ask for Computer with any combination.

      Reply
  12. Kelvin mwangi

    Is there a combination of geography and chemistry

    Reply
  13. Alexander Ongoma

    Can I take Biology/agriculture if i didn’t take agriculture in high school?

    Reply
  14. Yegon Kimutai

    Hi,is Mathematics/ PE recognized by the TSC?

    Reply
  15. David

    Hi, I got B-(Minus) in my KCSE and scored the following grades; mat-B, Eng C, Kiswahili B-, what combination can I have from this subjects?

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Hi. There is no clear combination from the list you have given. Perhaps if you could share what you got in other subjects.

      Reply
  16. Mandela

    Hello.For agriculture combinations say agriculture/chemistry do TSC consider biology performance or they are intrested in the two combinations having c+ and above

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      It’s the two teaching combinations which must have C+

      Reply
  17. BEATRICE

    Can i take PGDE and take maths and computer,yet did not study computer at high school having taken a degree in IT

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Yes Beatrice so long as you did physics and scored the required minimum grades, same as mathematics.

      Reply
  18. Loose ruguru murigi

    Please help Which combinations can I do with eng B kisw B_ maths Dplus bio C chem C- geo Cplus, agri C plain and b/s Cplus

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      You qualify for English/Lit. You can also do Kiswahili/Geography, Business Studies/ Geography.

      Reply
  19. rita kendi

    I graduated with kisw/physical education and never employed by TSC , what could be my errors please help me.

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Sorry Rita for the long wait. There are few schools employing that combination.

      Reply
  20. Immaculate mbatha

    Heeey….I really need your help…I got a C plain in my KCSE…
    The subjects are as follows…
    Maths C-
    English C
    Kiswahili C-
    Biology D+
    Chemistry C-
    C.R.E C-
    History C
    Business B
    What subject should I combine or what should I do???
    I’ll be waiting for your response….
    I’ll appreciate any advise that you give…
    Thanks in regard..

    Reply
    • EMMANEL

      ENGLISH AND LITERATURE

      Reply
      • Sheilah

        No you must have c plus mean grade.

        Reply
  21. Moita

    DO we have maths and agricu combination?

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Hi Moita. That combination is not common. Mostly Agriculture goes with Biology.

      Reply
  22. Margaret

    Hi,do we have home economics/ Biology combination?

    Reply
  23. Geff

    There is combination of business and geography?

    Reply
  24. Sharif Agoi

    Is there combination of agriculture/CRE

    Reply
  25. Caleen

    Please help me know whether it’s possible to correct a mistake i made. I have graduated with bachelor degree in education science with a D plus. I have read that i may not get employment. What can I do to correct this mistake. What of if my friend is making the same mistake but in third year

    Reply
    • Caleen

      **D plus in Mathematics

      Reply
  26. Ascar

    Hi ….I pursed Bsc in agriculture and biotechnology ….wanted to do PGDE could it be possible for me to undertake bio/agric …having scored a B+ in bio and A- in agriculture??

    Reply
  27. Steven ouma

    U want to do education courses combinations geo kiswahili but I have c- on english is that possible

    Reply
  28. Michael kirinya

    Is there any compenation of agriculture and kiswahili

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Hi Michael. I have not come across this combination and it may not be marketable for most schools.

      Reply
  29. Rose

    Is eng/cre a good combination?

    Reply
  30. Cynthia kaino

    is his there combination of agri chem

    Reply
  31. Cheruiyot Nicholas

    Helloo is there a combination of agriculture with maths

    Reply
  32. Haggai

    I need help in this case, one has graduated with one of the teaching subject having scored a C plain what should he do? that will enable him be recruited by TSC

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Hi Haggai. You can do bridging in that subject so long as you have a mean grade of C+.

      Reply
  33. solo

    can you do a computer combination while you didn’t do computer in highschool

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Yes. Most universities allow you to do Computer and another second subject e.g. Computer/Maths or Computer/Business provided you passed mathematics in high school with at least C+ (Plus).

      Reply
  34. Josphat

    Is Bio/homescience marketable

    Reply
  35. Kariuki Chris

    Hello is business/history combination a valid one please

    Reply
  36. MALIHA HUDSON

    is agriculture compatible with Kiswahili?

    Reply
  37. Tony

    Advice on the best combination
    Math A-,Eng B,KISW B-,Chem B, Bio B,Phyc B-,Geog B+ ,CommerceB+

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Marketable subjects include Maths/phy, phy/chem, Bio/chem and Maths/Geo

      Reply
  38. Tangus

    Hello? Am a graduate in education but my combination is history/kiswahili but I did German in high school, can I enhance it to secure faster recruitment? Kindly help.

    Reply
  39. Franciscah wekesa

    Is CRE/KIS same as KIS/CRE?

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Yes it is. No much attention is given to the arrangement except in some rare circumstances.

      Reply
  40. Bill

    I scored the following grades at KCSE: eng C,math D, kisw B-, bio C+, chem D, History A, CRE A- and busn B+ ,,if I persue diploma in secondary school teaching ,, will I be employed by the TSC?

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      No. You might need to bridge in maths to get the least grade D+ in mathematics if you want to teach business and humanities.

      TSC requires at least D+ in maths for non science teachers and C plain for science teachers and C plain in English in addition to C+ in the two subjects you want to teach.

      Reply
  41. Victor

    Is BSc in mathematics recognized?

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Yes it is approved by CUE but you might need to pursue postgraduate studies to better your chances of securing a job.

      Reply
  42. Ken Ochieng

    I have pursued Diploma in Education in English/literature and CRE.Am I allowed to apply for English/lit only during TSC recruitment exercise?

    Reply
  43. Sheilah

    Bridging is not accepted bt tsc nowdays….how did she/he joined teaching without the requirements??tsc will never employ him/her.

    Reply
  44. Tony mutua

    Can i dio maths and biology combination please

    Reply
  45. Kelvin kiplangat

    Is there combination of geography and biology employed by TSC?

    Reply
  46. Peter

    Is geography and kiswahili a marketable combination, how long does it take before one is employed

    Reply
    • Dalton Kirui

      I have the following grades in Kcse Eng C- Kisw C- Maths C- Biology C+ Chemistry C+ physics C Plain History B- Agriculture A-, Mean Grade C+, I have also pursued P1 Please advice me on Combination to advance for Degree course in Education

      Reply
      • Ezekiel M.

        Hi Peter. Check out Bio/Agri.

        Reply
  47. Calistus

    Hi I got the following subjects above C+ Mathematics,geography,kiswahili,biology,business,. So which combination is best for education arts

    Reply
  48. Winnie

    My name is Winnie Can I do English/agriculture coz it’s like eng/lit is kind of flooded

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Hi Winnie. Though chances of getting Eng/Agri employment are almost nil.

      Reply
  49. Juliana

    Any maths/kiswa or maths/cre offered

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Yes but very rare and hard choice for employment.

      Reply
      • Rogers Onyango

        I pursued diploma in secondary education: English /CRE . Can TSC register me please. I still don’t have the TSC number

        Reply
  50. Rise Akeyo

    Is there a combination of biology and geography currently

    Reply
  51. Okapel kelvin

    Please can one teach geography and computer, is it marketable??

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Hi. Computer and anything is marketable since you may end up teaching just computer in the school.

      Reply
  52. Brian

    How long can geo/maths teacher take for employement

    Reply
  53. Winy

    Is there a combination for business and history

    Reply
  54. Kelvin kiplangat

    Hi I did combination of bio and geo does TSC employee with that combination

    Reply
    • Ezekiel Ochami

      Yes, the combination exists and is employable by TSC as seen in previous advertised secondary teacher slots.

      Reply
    • Ahanga

      Yes it is

      Reply
  55. Kariuki Nelly

    Am doing biology/agriculture and have alway doubt if it is marketable thanks for the information

    Reply

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