TSC’s April 2025 Promotion of 25,252 Teachers Reveal Regional Disparities.
In a recent teacher promotion exercise conducted by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Machakos County emerged with the highest number of promotions (690), while Garissa County registered the lowest (303). The National Assembly has since rejected the entire exercise, calling into question its fairness and transparency.
A TSC data breakdown presented to the National Assembly’s Committee on Education revealed how the 25,252 promotion slots were distributed across counties and job grades. Despite variations in county size or number of applicants, the allocation showed minimal difference across regions, prompting public and parliamentary backlash.
Members of Parliament dismissed the list and instructed the TSC to return with a comprehensive explanation of the criteria used, giving the commission a one-week deadline. Julius Melly, Chair of the Education Committee and MP for Tinderet (UDA), expressed dissatisfaction, claiming the promotions were not based on merit or need but instead followed a rigid, uniform distribution model.
He emphasized that this model ignored long-serving teachers who had stagnated in their job groups for over a decade, while others received multiple promotions within a short span.
Mr Melly indicated that the committee would probe instances where recently hired teachers were rapidly promoted, sidelining experienced staff who had been shortlisted and interviewed but never elevated.
TSC CEO Nancy Macharia defended the promotion exercise, asserting that it was carried out legally and with regard for regional balance. She stated that the process adhered strictly to Regulation 73 of the Code of Regulations for Teachers (CORT), the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG), and the Policy on Selection and Appointment of Institutional Administrators. The commission argued that the policy foundation ensured equitable representation and compliance with set regulations.
To support its actions, TSC presented data highlighting the common cadre promotions and affirmative action appointments carried out in the 2024–2025 Financial Year. A total of 5,291 teachers were promoted under the affirmative action program, with top beneficiaries including Isiolo (282), Lamu (280), and Mandera (270). Meanwhile, counties such as Kiambu (46), Nairobi (63), Murang’a (63), Elgeyo Marakwet (64), and Laikipia (64) received the fewest slots.
Breakdown by Job Grades
The 25,252 promotions were spread across nine job grades. The most promotions occurred in grades C4 (8,508) and C5 (5,425), followed by C3 (4,971), D1 (2,519), C2 (1,445), and D3 (1,410). The senior administrative levels, while limited in number, saw 799 teachers rise to D2, 128 to D4, and 47 to D5—signifying a boost to school leadership ranks.
Teachers’ unions strongly criticized the promotion outcomes. Moses Nthurima, Acting Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), claimed the promotions were distributed unjustly.
He argued that counties with larger teacher populations, such as Kakamega and Kiambu, were severely disadvantaged, while some teachers with only six months of service were promoted over others who had waited over a decade.
Nthurima questioned the transparency of the criteria used. Although the TSC has stated that age was considered, he pointed out that age has never been a core requirement in previous policies. He maintained that promotions should be based on years of service, job responsibilities, and performance in both curricular and co-curricular activities.
Read Also: Prof. Joseph Kiplangat Takes Over as Vice Chancellor at Kenya Highlands University
According to him, the TSC failed to consult unions or respond to written communications. He stressed that this lack of engagement perpetuates exclusion and undermines unions’ roles.
He also pointed out that many teachers acting as deputy principals and principals in populous counties had been overlooked for years, with no formal confirmation, while peers in less populated areas were promoted.
This contentious exercise has exposed deep-rooted issues within the teacher promotion system, highlighting disparities, governance challenges, and the growing demand for accountability and equitable representation in Kenya’s education sector.
TSC’s April 2025 Promotion of 25,252 Teachers Reveal Regional Disparities
Follow Teachers Updates on Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram. Get in touch with our editors at [email protected].
Discussion about this post