Senior teachers to reap big as TSC rolls out 24,000 promotions

Elderly teachers who have stagnated in one job group are set to be the biggest winners in the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) latest promotion drive.
With thousands of teachers having stagnated for years in the same job group, the new framework is expected to unlock long-awaited upward mobility, particularly for senior teachers nearing retirement.
The Commission this month announced 24,000 promotional slots for various grades across the teaching service, with new guidelines giving weight to age, experience, and professional contribution.
According to the interview scoring sheet seen by The Standard, a 57-year-old teacher who has remained in the same job group for seven years automatically secures most of the points under the new framework, placing them in a strong position for promotion.
By contrast, teachers aged 41 and below will only receive 10 marks in the age category, while their 57-year-old colleagues will earn 50. 
“The commission shall use a standardised scoring guide for fair and merit-based evaluation, considering academic qualification, acting capacity, length of stay in grade, TPAD ratings and seniority/experience,” the scoring sheet reads.
The new framework also gives significant weight to professional qualifications, Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development (TPAD) ratings, and additional responsibilities taken up by teachers. 
Those who have served as examiners with the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec), trainers under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) or Teacher Induction Mentorship and Coaching (Timec), or contributors to the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) and the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (Cemastea), will earn special marks.
Academic qualifications, however, will play a smaller role. Doctorate holders will earn five marks, followed by master’s and bachelor’s degree holders. 
Performance in the TPAD tool, which assesses teachers on classroom delivery and professional standards, will contribute up to 10 marks. Teachers with an average rating of 81 per cent and above for three years will score the maximum.
The largest share of marks 50 will come from the length of stay in a job group. A teacher who has remained in the same grade for three years will get 10 marks, with scores increasing as the years accumulate.
For top administrative positions such as Chief Principal (Grade D5/T-Scale 15), the system has been standardised and will also apply to senior principals, principals, deputy principals, headteachers, and senior lecturers.
TSC has defended the guidelines, saying they are anchored in constitutional principles of fairness, transparency, and meritocracy. 
“To promote consistency, fairness and transparency, the commission has developed 32 grade-specific scoring guides, which shall be used in the 2025/26 financial year promotion cycle,” the guidelines state.
The Commission has also encouraged teachers living with disabilities to apply for the promotions,  noting that affirmative action will apply.
Education analysts say the new system may leave younger teachers disadvantaged despite their strong academic qualifications. 
“Age will play a significant role in the promotions, and younger teachers may find the system tough since they score fewer marks in age and experience,” an official familiar with the guidelines said.
Last week during State Concert for winners of music festivals, President William Ruto assured tutors who had guided learners through perming arts of drama, sports and music will benefit from the 850 teachers slots for promotions.
“I want to assure teachers who may have missed on the 400 list who were to be promoted last year, they will be added to the 450 that the commission will be promoting in the performing art,” President Ruto said.

With thousands of teachers having stagnated for years in the same job group, the new framework is expected to unlock long-awaited upward mobility, particularly for senior teachers nearing retirement.

The Commission this month announced 24,000 promotional slots for various grades across the teaching service, with new guidelines giving weight to age, experience, and professional contribution.

According to the interview scoring sheet seen by The Standard, a 57-year-old teacher who has remained in the same job group for seven years automatically secures most of the points under the new framework, placing them in a strong position for promotion.

By contrast, teachers aged 41 and below will only receive 10 marks in the age category, while their 57-year-old colleagues will earn 50.

“The commission shall use a standardised scoring guide for fair and merit-based evaluation, considering academic qualification, acting capacity, length of stay in grade, TPAD ratings and seniority/experience,” the scoring sheet reads.

The new framework also gives significant weight to professional qualifications, Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development (TPAD) ratings, and additional responsibilities taken up by teachers.

Those who have served as examiners with the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec), trainers under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) or Teacher Induction Mentorship and Coaching (Timec), or contributors to the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) and the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (Cemastea), will earn special marks.

Academic qualifications, however, will play a smaller role. Doctorate holders will earn five marks, followed by master’s and bachelor’s degree holders.

Performance in the TPAD tool, which assesses teachers on classroom delivery and professional standards, will contribute up to 10 marks. Teachers with an average rating of 81 per cent and above for three years will score the maximum.

The largest share of marks 50 will come from the length of stay in a job group. A teacher who has remained in the same grade for three years will get 10 marks, with scores increasing as the years accumulate.

For top administrative positions such as Chief Principal (Grade D5/T-Scale 15), the system has been standardised and will also apply to senior principals, principals, deputy principals, headteachers, and senior lecturers.

TSC has defended the guidelines, saying they are anchored in constitutional principles of fairness, transparency, and meritocracy.

“To promote consistency, fairness and transparency, the commission has developed 32 grade-specific scoring guides, which shall be used in the 2025/26 financial year promotion cycle,” the guidelines state.

The Commission has also encouraged teachers living with disabilities to apply for the promotions, noting that affirmative action will apply.

Education analysts say the new system may leave younger teachers disadvantaged despite their strong academic qualifications.

“Age will play a significant role in the promotions, and younger teachers may find the system tough since they score fewer marks in age and experience,” an official familiar with the guidelines said.

Last week during State Concert for winners of music festivals, President William Ruto assured tutors who had guided learners through perming arts of drama, sports and music will benefit from the 850 teachers slots for promotions.

“I want to assure teachers who may have missed on the 400 list who were to be promoted last year, they will be added to the 450 that the commission will be promoting in the performing art,” President Ruto said.