The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has unveiled plans to promote 24,000 educators in a two-phase exercise aimed at enhancing career growth for teaching professionals across Kenya.
The initial phase will see 5,690 teachers, many of whom are serving as acting school heads and deputies, promoted. This phase is already underway, with TSC advertising these positions and processing applications. The second phase, scheduled for next year, will open up an additional 19,000 promotion opportunities.
This announcement was made during the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Annual Delegates Conference held in Mombasa.
“TSC is currently reviewing applications for the 5,690 advertised positions and will soon advertise another 19,000 slots,” the commission stated.
Between 2018 and 2023, TSC promoted 168,389 educators through the Common Cadre system and an additional 73,902 through competitive selection. The Common Cadre system allows automatic promotions for teachers in grades B5 to C1, C1 to C2, and C2 to C3 after three years of satisfactory performance.
TSC also highlighted its recent recruitment efforts, revealing that 76,000 teachers, including 20,000 interns and 56,000 permanent staff, were hired on pensionable terms. These teachers are expected to report to their schools in January 2025.
KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu raised concerns about prolonged acting roles, stating that many teachers have been serving as acting heads or deputies for over three years, far beyond the six-month legal limit.
“Those who have been acting for extended periods must be prioritized in this promotion exercise,” Oyuu emphasized.
According to data from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, 1,918 primary schools lack headteachers, while 1,441 secondary schools are without principals.
Earlier this year, TSC proposed special duty allowances for acting school heads and deputies, with discussions with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) concluding. Budgetary allocations for these allowances are reportedly in progress.
Union leaders, however, continue to criticize the 2017 Career Progression Guidelines (CPGs), which they argue hinder career advancement. Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Chairman Omboko Milemba described the guidelines as a roadblock for experienced teachers.
“These policies have delayed promotions for many qualified educators, forcing them to wait years for job group upgrades,” Milemba stated.
TSC’s ongoing efforts aim to address these challenges and ensure a fair and transparent promotion process for educators nationwide.
