Teachers’ Age, Experience Dominate TSC Promotion Recruitment as Interviews Begin.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) began its promotion interviews on Monday, January 13, 2025, across all sub-counties.
This round of interviews adopts a different approach from previous ones, focusing primarily on document verification rather than direct questioning. Interviewees present their credentials for verification by the panel, which assesses their age and duration in their current grade.
The Commission intends to fill 19,943 promotion vacancies, primarily targeting teachers seeking positions as Heads of Institutions (HOIs).
Promotions will be determined by age, years of service in the current grade, and other qualifications. Successful candidates will be posted to schools with existing vacancies. TSC has attributed the increased demand for HOIs to anticipated mass retirements in June and August this year.
Recruitment Drive Overview
TSC announced the promotion opportunities on December 17, 2024, inviting applications for positions ranging from job group C1 to D4.
Applicants were required to submit their forms online by December 30, 2024. Teachers who had previously applied under Advert 1 to 4 of 2024, which ran from November 12–18, were also urged to reapply.
The recruitment initiative aims to address significant gaps left by retiring HOIs and accommodate new vacancies created by the registration of additional schools.
Candidates must present various documents during the interview process, tailored to the type of promotion sought. Below is a detailed list:
At the Interview:
- Original National Identity Card (ID)
- Academic certificates (KCSE, PTE, Diploma, Degree)
- Appointment letter to the current grade
- Latest payslip
- Previous promotional letter
- Responsibility assignment letter for HOI/DHOI roles
- Performance Appraisal Reports (TPAD) for 2021–2023
- Other relevant testimonials
Post-Promotion Requirements:
After promotion, candidates must provide the following documents, adhering to Chapter 6 of the Kenyan Constitution on leadership and integrity:
- Valid Certificate of Good Conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI)
- Clearance Certificate from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
- Tax Compliance Certificate from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)
- Clearance from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)
- Clearance Certificate from an approved Credit Reference Bureau (CRB)
Challenges and Concerns
Despite the streamlined process, concerns have been raised by teachers about recent policy changes. Specifically, TSC has reduced the required acting period for promotion eligibility to six months, prompting accusations of favoritism and backdoor promotions.
TSC data reveals that 3,300 school heads and deputies currently serve in acting capacities, awaiting confirmation of their roles.
A shortage of qualified school heads has left 3,359 public schools without leadership. This includes 1,918 primary schools and 1,441 secondary schools.
TSC cites a lack of experienced teachers eligible for promotion and the registration of new schools as key contributors to the problem.
Read Also: TSC Declares C+ Cut-Off for High School Teaching Jobs
Scoring Criteria
The TSC promotion scoresheet prioritizes candidates based on their length of service, TPAD ratings, and age. Teachers have expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that some policies may overlook merit in favor of arbitrary criteria.
As of January, the Commission plans to confirm teachers currently in acting capacities and appoint them to official roles. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to address the growing administrative demands in Kenya’s education sector.
Teachers’ Age, Experience Dominate TSC Promotion Recruitment as Interviews Begin.
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