TSC unveils teacher promotion guidelines prioritising seniority, experience
According to the guidelines, teachers aged 57 years and above stand to gain the most, with the scoring system heavily rewarding length of service and accumulated experience.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has issued new guidelines for its 2025/26 promotion cycle, prioritising seniority, age and professional contributions, a move that is expected to benefit teachers who have remained in the same job group for years.
According to the guidelines, teachers aged 57 years and above stand to gain the most, with the scoring system heavily rewarding length of service and accumulated experience.
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“To promote consistency, fairness and transparency, the commission has developed 32 grade-specific scoring guides, which shall be used in the 2025/26 financial year promotion cycle,” reads the guidelines.
This month, TSC announced 24,000 promotional slots across various grades, with the new guidelines giving weight to age, experience, and professional contribution. According to the interview scoring sheet, a 57-year-old teacher who has remained in the same job group for seven years automatically secures most of the points under the new framework, placing them in a strong position for promotion.
By contrast, teachers aged 41 and below will receive only 10 marks in the age category, while their 57-year-old colleagues will earn 50.
“The commission shall use a standardised scoring guide for fair and merit-based evaluation, considering academic qualifications, acting capacity, length of stay in grade, TPAD ratings and seniority/experience,” the scoring sheet reads.
The framework also gives significant weight to professional qualifications, Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development (TPAD) ratings, and additional responsibilities taken up by teachers.
Those who have served as examiners with the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), trainers under the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) or Teacher Induction Mentorship and Coaching (Timec), or contributors to the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) and the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (Cemastea), will earn special marks.
Academic qualifications, however, carry a smaller role. Doctorate holders earn five marks, followed by master’s and bachelor’s degree holders. Performance in the TPAD tool, which assesses classroom delivery and professional standards, will contribute up to 10 marks. Teachers with an average rating of 81 per cent or above over three years will score the maximum.
The largest share of marks, 50, comes from the length of stay in a job group. A teacher who has remained in the same grade for three years scores 10 marks, with additional points awarded for longer service.
For top administrative positions such as Chief Principal (Grade D5/T-Scale 15), the scoring system has been standardised and applies to senior principals, principals, deputy principals, headteachers and senior lecturers.
TSC has defended the guidelines, noting they are anchored in constitutional principles of fairness, transparency and meritocracy.
The Commission has also encouraged teachers living with disabilities to apply for the promotions, affirming that affirmative action will apply.
Education analysts have, however, warned that younger teachers may face challenges under the new system despite strong academic qualifications.
During the State Concert for winners of music festivals last week, President William Ruto assured tutors involved in arts, drama, sports, and music that they would benefit from 850 promotional slots.
“I want to assure teachers who may have missed the 400 list who were to be promoted last year, they will be added to the 450 that the commission will be promoting in the performing arts,” Ruto said.
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