KUPPET Demands Reforms in Teacher Promotion, Criticizes TSC Policies.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has intensified calls for reforms in the teacher promotion system, citing stagnation and an inequitable distribution of vacancies as pressing issues.
The union’s stance follows the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) announcement of promotions for 28,288 teachers this year.
KUPPET’s Deputy Secretary-General, Moses Nthurima, expressed dissatisfaction with TSC’s promotion processes, describing them as unfair. He highlighted disparities in vacancy allocation, noting that populous counties are disadvantaged compared to smaller ones.
A teacher in a county with over 11,000 educators has significantly fewer opportunities than their counterparts in counties with smaller teacher populations.
The union also flagged concerns about 130,000 teachers who have remained in the same job group for over five years. Nthurima emphasized that this stagnation undermines career progression and demoralizes educators.
Criticism of ASAL Promotion Policies
Nthurima raised issues with the fast-track promotion policy for teachers in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL). He argued that the policy, designed to address staffing challenges in hardship areas, has instead created inequalities. Teachers in ASAL regions with minimal experience are confirmed in administrative positions, while more qualified educators elsewhere are overlooked.
KUPPET has called for a review of the ASAL classification, insisting it no longer serves its intended purpose and exacerbates promotion disparities.
Despite funds being allocated for promotions, Nthurima revealed that some of the resources were redirected to hire new teachers. While KUPPET supports the recruitment of new staff, Nthurima stressed that promoting overlooked teachers should take precedence. Prolonged stagnation impacts career advancement and diminishes morale.
The union also called for scrapping the Career Progression Guidelines (CPGs) introduced in 2017, which it views as a significant barrier to career advancement. KUPPET claims the guidelines have prevented many experienced teachers from qualifying for leadership roles, forcing them to wait years for promotions.
Demand for Automatic Promotions
KUPPET has advocated for the automatic promotion of teachers based on their progressive experience rather than academic qualifications. The union also criticized the lack of recognition for teachers excelling in co-curricular activities.
According to Nthurima, the failure to publish promotion lists under the Presidential Award for excellence in drama, music, and sports has been particularly disheartening.
The award, introduced in 2023, is viewed by the union as a step towards fairer promotions, as it acknowledges achievements beyond the classroom.
During a previous strike, KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori called on TSC to address the career stagnation crisis, citing the large number of teachers who have not been promoted in over five years.
The overwhelming demand for promotions was evident in the 189,948 applications for 25,288 promotion vacancies this year. These included 9,179 positions in post-primary schools and 16,109 in primary schools.
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Ongoing Interviews for Promotions
Interviews for the promotions are currently underway. From January 13 to 24, 2025, 96,640 primary school teachers were interviewed at the sub-county level.
For post-primary positions, 44,043 teachers in grades C3 to D2 are undergoing interviews at the county level between January 27 and February 7. Additionally, 7,224 principals and teachers in grades D3 to D5 will be interviewed at regional headquarters during the same period.
KUPPET continues to press for an overhaul of the promotion system to ensure fairness and career growth opportunities for all educators.
KUPPET Demands Reforms in Teacher Promotion, Criticizes TSC Policies
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