TSC Launches TPAD 3 with Major Changes Impacting Teachers.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has introduced an upgraded Teacher Performance and Appraisal Development (TPAD) system.
Alongside this, modifications have also been made to the Performance Contracting (PC) tool for Heads of Institutions (HOI). These revisions were disclosed during teacher training sessions across nine counties.
The new TPAD 3 system incorporates multiple updates, including adjustments to TPAD, PC, and the lesson observation tool. As part of the implementation, TSC has selected nine counties—Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nyeri, Meru, Baringo, Kajiado, Garissa, and Vihiga—to pilot these changes before full national adoption.
Piloting and Implementation Timeline
The trial phase for TPAD 3 commenced on March 17 and is set to conclude on March 21, 2025. The upgraded system, replacing TPAD 2, integrates enhanced monitoring and performance evaluation features. However, TPAD 3 remains inactive until the piloting process is complete.
The new TPAD 3 portal will introduce four revised teaching standards:
- Effective curriculum delivery
- Comprehensive learner-centered environment
- Integration of technology in teaching and learning
- Teacher professional growth and development
Additionally, within professional growth and development, teachers must maintain appropriate grooming in the learning environment, with a maximum score of four points. Under the learner-centered environment standard, educators are now required to facilitate games, sports, and creative arts activities.
Mandatory Teacher Development Programs
To further professional development, two Teacher Professional Development (TPD) modules will be introduced. One module will be funded by TSC, while teachers will personally finance the other.
Completion of these modules will influence teacher promotions. The Commission has scheduled the mandatory TPD training for December 2025.
TPAD remains an open appraisal system, enabling primary and secondary school teachers to assess their own performance and track professional growth. Through this initiative, TSC aims to restore the prestige of the teaching profession while ensuring public trust and support.
TPAD Compliance and Teacher Promotions
TSC utilizes TPAD compliance records during promotion interviews. Teachers must download and provide evidence of TPAD participation as part of their assessment.
Internal Memo on Teacher Training for TPAD 3 and RLM
Training Objectives and Target Counties
TSC is in the process of revising its teacher evaluation tools to align with evolving educational and technological trends.
These include TPAD, PC, and the Lesson Observation Tool. The pilot program is being conducted in nine counties: Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nyeri, Meru, Baringo, Kajiado, Garissa, and Vihiga.
In September 2024, a technical team from TSC Headquarters visited these pilot counties to gather data from teachers, deputies, and institutional heads regarding TPAD teaching standards, PC criteria, and lesson observation requirements.
The next phase involves testing these updates in actual school environments between March 17 and 21, 2025.
A total of 556 trainers (referred to as Champions) will be trained in each pilot county on:
- Revised TPAD teaching standards
- TPAD 3.0 dummy system
- Lesson observation standards, tools, and rating
- Remote learning methodologies
TSC has set a target to train 556 teachers across four public education levels—primary, junior, secondary, and Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs).
Training Schedule and Venues
To ensure effective training and participation, each county will identify two centrally located venues with adequate facilities.
These venues must accommodate an opening session and separate rooms for focused discussions across four categories: primary science, primary social studies, junior school, and secondary/TTCs.
The training will be conducted in two cohorts:
Cohort 1 (March 18-20, 2025)
- Day 1 (March 18): TPAD training (County venue)
- Day 2 (March 19): Lesson observation practicum (School-based)
- Day 3 (March 20): Remote learning methodologies (County venue)
Cohort 2 (March 19-21, 2025)
- Day 1 (March 19): TPAD training (County venue)
- Day 2 (March 20): Lesson observation practicum (School-based)
- Day 3 (March 21): Remote learning methodologies (County venue)
Each venue will accommodate 139 participants across the four days. Teachers will be trained to conduct lesson observations and implement the TPAD dummy system in their respective schools during the practicum, ensuring minimal disruption to school schedules.
Training Methodology and Class Sizes
To maximize participation, teachers will be divided into four subject-based groups:
- Primary & Junior – Sciences
- Primary & Junior – Social Sciences
- Secondary & TTC – Sciences
- Secondary & TTC – Humanities
The training will cover seven key subject areas, with participant distribution as follows:
| Learning Areas | Pri (Reg) | Pri (SNE) | Jun (Reg) | Jun (SNE) | Sec (Reg) | Sec (SNE) | TTC (Reg) | TTC (SNE) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 19 |
| Kiswahili | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 17 |
| Creative Arts | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| Social Sciences | 5 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 21 |
| Mathematics | 5 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 25 |
| Sciences | 8 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 31 |
| Technical Subjects | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 16 |
| Total | 28 | 7 | 34 | 7 | 42 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 139 |
Read Also: Education Ministry to Relocate Custody of KCSE Certificates from Schools
Administrative Instructions
To facilitate training, TSC has directed Regional and County Directors to:
- Complete and submit the required forms to [email protected] by March 27, 2025.
- Attend a virtual debriefing session on February 24, 2025, at 10:00 AM using the provided link.
- Appoint four field officers to assist in training at the county level.
- Identify four teachers per cohort to be mentored as facilitators.
The training aims to enhance TPAD implementation, ensuring a more effective teacher evaluation system aligned with evolving educational needs.
TSC Launches TPAD 3 with Major Changes Impacting Teachers.
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