TSC to Confirm Over 3,300 Acting School Heads as January Teacher Promotions Receive Sh1 Billion Boost.
Starting January, more than 3,300 school heads and deputies serving in acting capacities will be confirmed in their roles, following the government’s allocation of Sh1 billion for teacher promotions.
This initiative aims to address stagnation among teachers who have remained in the same job groups for extended periods, a concern consistently raised by unions.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) agreed to use the allocated funds to fill critical administrative roles in primary and secondary schools.
During a week-long meeting in Naivasha, the two parties outlined a plan to resolve the leadership crisis in 3,359 schools.
Data from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms reveals that 1,918 primary schools lack headteachers, while 1,441 secondary schools are without principals.
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KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu noted that many educators had exceeded the legally mandated six months in acting capacities, with some serving for over three years. He stressed the need to prioritise these individuals.
Shift in Focus: Appointments Over Allowances
Initially, TSC had proposed special duty allowances for acting school heads and deputies to compensate for their additional responsibilities.
In January, the commission informed Parliament’s Education Committee that negotiations with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) were complete and budgetary provisions were being explored.
However, the new development prioritises substantive appointments instead of allowances.
TSC Chief Executive Dr Nancy Macharia explained that acting school heads are deployed due to a shortage of qualified teachers for leadership roles.
She attributed this issue to the establishment of new schools without corresponding budgets for teacher promotions. As a result, the commission has relied heavily on acting administrators.
Career Progression Challenges
Union leaders argue that the stagnation in teacher promotions is largely due to restrictive criteria introduced under the 2017 Career Progression Guidelines (CPGs).
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Chairman Omboko Milemba criticised these guidelines for hindering career advancement.
According to Milemba, experienced teachers are often unable to meet the requirements for deputy headteacher roles and face prolonged delays in job group changes.
KNUT’s Oyuu echoed these sentiments, highlighting repeated instances where deputy headteacher roles failed to attract sufficient applicants.
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He emphasised that thousands of teachers who became senior teachers in 2017 remain ineligible for promotion, forcing them to wait years to qualify for deputy headteacher roles under the current system.
This comprehensive plan, backed by the government’s funding, marks a significant step toward resolving leadership gaps and promoting teachers to their deserved roles.
TSC to Confirm Over 3,300 Acting Principals as January Teacher Promotions Receive Sh1 Billion Boost.
