The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has released updated guidelines for the promotion of teachers across all job cadres in Kenya for the 2025/2026 financial year.
In a circular dated August 11, 2025, addressed to all TSC county, regional, and sub-county directors, the Commission said the new framework aims to standardize the promotion process, ensuring fairness, transparency, and merit-based career progression for teachers in public institutions.
“These guidelines provide a structured, transparent, and equitable framework for teacher promotions,” read the TSC notice.
“They align with legal standards, public service values, and the Commission’s priorities to ensure promotions are handled credibly and efficiently.”
Key Changes and Guidelines
- Vacancy Identification & Application Process
- Promotions will be based on budget availability, staff attrition, and the presence of vacancies within the approved structure.
- All vacancies will be advertised through:
- The TSC website
- Mainstream newspapers
- Other platforms as deemed appropriate
- The application window will remain open for 14 days from the date of advertisement.
- Applications must be submitted online via the TSC portal. Manual submissions will not be accepted.
- Applicants must complete all fields accurately and confirm submission.
- Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for promotion, teachers must:
- Have served at least three (3) years in their current grade.
- Not be under disciplinary sanctions, including:
- Within 2 years of a guilty disciplinary finding.
- Within 1 year of receiving an administrative warning.
- If re-employed, must serve 3 years continuously before being considered for promotion.
- Shortlisting & Interview Process
- Shortlisting will be done in a 1:3 ratio per vacancy, based on merit.
- The process will ensure fairness, inclusivity, and non-discrimination.
- Interview panels will be organized by grade:
- Sub-County Panels: Primary teachers, Head Teachers, Deputy Head Teachers
- County Panels: Post-primary teachers, Deputy Principals
- Regional Panels: Principals of Secondary Schools, TTCs, and Curriculum Support Officers (including SNE)
- Shortlisted candidates will receive at least 7 days’ notice with details of the interview date, time, venue, and required documents.
- Interview Scoring Criteria
Teachers will be assessed based on:
- Academic qualifications – Higher credentials earn more points.
- Acting capacity – Teachers already performing in leadership roles will receive additional marks.
- Time in current grade – Longer service yields higher scores.
- TPAD performance – Average ratings over the past three years will be considered.
- Seniority and teaching experience.
- Professional involvement – Participation in KNEC, KICD, MOE, KISE, KEMI, TIMEC, and CBC training attracts bonus points.
- Selection & Deployment
- Final selection will be approved by the TSC Board.
- Promotions will be based strictly on interview performance, while ensuring:
- Gender balance
- Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
- Regional representation
- The list of successful candidates will be published on the TSC website.
- Head Teachers and Deputies will be deployed to institutions with existing vacancies.
- Offers must be accepted within 30 days or they will lapse, per Regulation 81 of the TSC Code (2015).
- Special Considerations
- At least 5% of promotions will be reserved for teachers with registered disabilities, as per the Persons with Disabilities Act.
- In line with Article 27(8) of the Constitution, no more than two-thirds of promoted teachers will be of the same gender.
- Interview venues will be made accessible to PWDs.
- Teachers with hearing or speech impairments may bring a sign language interpreter to their interviews.
These guidelines form part of TSC’s broader strategy to professionalize teaching, promote excellence, and ensure equitable career growth across Kenya’s education sector.
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