Teachers scramble for promotions as TSC receives 189,000 applications for 25,288 vacancies
Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers is preparing to resume negotiations with TSC to ensure the promotions are implemented this year.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has received an unprecedented 189,948 applications for 25,288 promotion vacancies, highlighting the significant demand for career progression among educators.
According to an internal notice, the commission indicated that the positions included 9,179 vacancies in post-primary schools and 16,109 in primary schools.
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The high number of applications highlights the growing frustration among teachers due to years of career stagnation.
In November, the commission advertised the promotion vacancies to fill administrative roles left vacant. However, teachers who had applied during the November application period were advised to reapply.
Interviews for the promotions have been scheduled at different levels.
At the sub-county level, 96,640 primary school teachers will be interviewed from January 13 to 24, 2025.
For post-primary positions, 44,043 teachers in grades C3 to D2 will undergo interviews at the county level from January 27 to February 7, while 7,224 principals and teachers in grades D3 to D5 will face interviews at regional headquarters within the same period.
“There are three levels of interviews: Sub-county, where 96,640 teachers were shortlisted for the primary school vacancies; County level, where 44,043 teachers in C3 to D2 grades will be interviewed; and regional level, where principals and teachers in D3 to D5 grades will be interviewed,” reads the notice.
The announcement comes amidst demands from the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), which has been vocal about the plight of 130,000 teachers who have been stuck in the same job group for over five years.
During a recent strike, Kuppet called on TSC to urgently address the stagnation crisis.
“There is a serious crisis of career stagnation in the teaching service, revealed in the high number of teachers who have not earned any promotion for more than five years,” Kuppet Secretary-General Akelo Misori said.
Resolve stagnation issue
Kuppet’s Deputy Secretary-General Moses Nthurima reiterated the union’s demand to resolve the stagnation issue.
“While funds had been allocated for teacher promotions, part of this money was redirected towards employing new teachers,” he explained then, adding that the union does not oppose the hiring of new teachers but insists on prioritising the promotion of those who have been overlooked for years.
“The longer they remain in the same job group, the more they lose out in terms of career progression and morale,” he said.
Nthurima had warned that the limited number of promotions could lead to widespread dissatisfaction among educators.
He stressed the importance of inclusivity and transparency in addressing the frustrations of teachers who feel left out of the promotion process.
“With over 20,000 schools across the country, the current number of promotions barely scratches the surface. This inequality is likely to create frustrations that could affect teachers’ performance in their duties,” he noted.
The union is preparing to resume negotiations with TSC to ensure the promotions are implemented this year.
“We are heading back to the negotiating table and expect TSC to commit to promoting these teachers. This is not just about fairness; it’s about recognising the hard work and dedication of our educators,” Nthurima told Daily Nation.
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