TSC Revises TPAD Lesson Observation Guidelines.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has implemented modifications to the Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development (TPAD) system. These adjustments have been made to enhance the monitoring and evaluation of teachers during lessons.
The changes were first disclosed in early January by TSC officials at the County and Sub-County levels during a conference for primary school headteachers. The meeting, organized under the Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA), provided a platform for discussing key issues concerning the term.
Purpose and Objectives of TPAD
TPAD operates as an open appraisal system, enabling both primary and secondary school teachers to engage in self-evaluation and actively pursue their professional growth. Through this system, TSC aims to restore the prestige of the teaching profession while regaining public trust and support.
Modifications in Lesson Observation
Under the revised TPAD guidelines, teachers are now permitted to observe their colleagues during lessons and complete the lesson observation form.
Previously, only school administrators had the authority to enter classrooms for lesson observation and documentation. With this change, non-administrator teachers can now initiate the lesson observation process.
These modifications provide relief to school administrators by freeing up their time to focus on more urgent responsibilities. Once the lesson observation forms are completed, teachers must submit them to the administrators for uploading onto the TPAD online system.
| Previous System | Revised System |
|---|---|
| Only school administrators could observe lessons and fill forms | Non-administrator teachers can now initiate lesson observations |
| Teachers had to wait for administrators for evaluation | Teachers can observe and evaluate their peers |
| Administrators had a heavy workload managing observations | Administrators now have time for other responsibilities |
Impact on Teacher Promotions and Compliance
TSC utilizes TPAD as a criterion for teacher promotions. During promotion interviews, teachers are required to present evidence of TPAD compliance, which includes downloaded records. Failure to comply with the appraisal and lesson observation requirements may lead to disciplinary action by the Commission.
For this year, TSC announced 25,288 promotion slots for both primary and post-primary school teachers. During the January and February promotion interviews, teachers were assessed based on their TPAD ratings as follows:
TPAD Rating and Score Allocation
TPAD Rating and Score Allocation
| TPAD Rating | Score (Marks) |
| 81+ | 10 Marks |
| 61-80 | 8 Marks |
| 41-60 | 6 Marks |
| 21-40 | 4 Marks |
| 1-20 | 2 Marks |
Teachers were also required to provide their TPAD records for the past three years (2022, 2023, and 2024) as part of the evaluation process.
Read Also: KICD Advertises Job Vacancies: Requirements, Deadline, How to Apply
TPAD Calendar of Activities at the Institution Level
| TPAD Activity | Action By | Time Frame |
| Planning meetings before school opening involving all staff to set school TPAD activity calendar | Heads of Institutions, Senior Management Team, Teachers | By the last week of the school holiday |
| Submission of professional documents | Heads of institution, All Teachers | By the end of the first week of the term |
| Undertaking lesson observations and identifying and documenting teacher’s professional gaps | Appraisees and appraisers | Between the 2nd week and 10th week of the term |
| Undertaking teacher professional development to address professional gaps | Appraisees, appraisers, institutional administrators | Throughout the term; from 1st week to the last week of the term |
| Internal Monitoring and Evaluation of the implementation of TPAD process | Heads of institution, Deputy Head of Institution, Heads of Department | Continuous throughout the term |
| Monitoring the implementation of TPAD process at county level; zonal, sub-county & county | Curriculum Support Officers, Sub County Directors and County Directors | Throughout the term; from 1st week to the last week of the term |
| TPAD rating meetings | Appraisee (teachers) and appraiser (HODs, deputy heads, Heads of Institution, CSOs, SCD) | By the closing date of the term |
| Uploading of TPAD data and evidence | Appraisee (teachers) and appraiser (HODs, deputy heads, Heads of Institution, CSOs, SCD) | Throughout the term |
TSC Revises TPAD Lesson Observation Guidelines
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