by

Career advice · Updated October 2026

How to Write a Teacher CV in Kenya That School Heads Shortlist

A teacher’s CV in Kenya is read by two very different audiences. Public schools hire through the Teachers Service Commission, which works from strict requirements and documents. Private and international schools are run more like businesses: head teachers and directors want to see results, extra-curricular work and how you handle parents. A good teacher CV satisfies both. This guide explains what to include, in what order, and the details Kenyan schools check first. When you are ready, the free CV builder turns your details into a clean PDF.

Put Your TSC Number Near the Top

You cannot be employed as a teacher in a public school without registration with the Teachers Service Commission, and most private schools ask for it too. Put your TSC number directly under your name and contacts, not on page two. If your registration is in progress, say so and give the date you applied. Recruiters skip CVs that leave them guessing on this point.

State Your Teaching Subjects and Level Clearly

Secondary schools hire by subject combination, so write it the way schools advertise it, for example “Mathematics and Physics” or “English and Literature”. Primary, junior and pre-primary teachers should name the level they are trained for. If you have trained in the competency-based curriculum, say so in a single clear line, with the training provider and year. This one line often decides whether your CV is read further.

The Right Order for a Teacher CV

  1. Name, phone, email, town and TSC number.
  2. Profile: three lines on your subjects, level, years of experience and one result you are proud of.
  3. Teaching experience: latest school first, with your role, classes taught and dates.
  4. Education: your degree or diploma in education, then KCSE with mean grade and your grades in your teaching subjects.
  5. Co-curricular and responsibilities: clubs, games, class teacher, head of department, exam officer.
  6. Training and certificates: curriculum training, KNEC examiner or supervisor roles, first aid, ICT.
  7. Referees: three, including your current or last head teacher.

Show Results, Not Duties

Every teacher “prepares lesson plans and schemes of work”, so writing that adds nothing. Instead, show what changed because you were there. Examples: “Raised the Form Four Chemistry mean from 4.2 to 5.6 in two years”, “Coached the school volleyball team to county level”, or “Introduced weekly reading clinics for Grade 4 learners”. Use figures from your school’s own records and make sure your head teacher, as a referee, would confirm them.

What Private and International Schools Look For

Private schools usually want evidence that you can work with parents, use technology in class and take on activities after lessons. International schools add curriculum experience, such as Cambridge or IB, and may expect a short statement of your teaching approach. If you have taught in one of these systems, name it in your profile and in each relevant job entry. If you have not, highlight transferable work, for example marking to a rubric, project-based learning or mentoring.

Newly Qualified Teachers

If you have just finished college or university, lead with teaching practice. Give the school, the classes, the subjects and one thing you achieved there. Add volunteer tutoring, holiday tuition and any internship. Keep the CV to one page and ask your teaching practice supervisor to be a referee.

Documents to Have Ready

Schools, and the TSC in particular, ask for certified copies of certificates, your national ID, KRA PIN and, for some posts, clearance documents. Our guide to documents required for jobs in Kenya lists them. Pair your CV with a short letter that names the subject and school; see how to write a cover letter in Kenya.

Build Your Teacher CV

Open the free CV and cover letter builder, choose a layout, and enter your TSC number in the profile section so it sits at the top. Your details stay on your device and the PDF downloads straight away. Then browse current teaching and education jobs. For general tips that apply to every role, read how to write a CV in Kenya.