TSC is on day 2 of the promotion interviews which started on Monday January 13th. Unlike in previous years where applicants were grilled by the interview panel, this year is much more straightforward. The interviewees are not being asked questions but instead are being asked to present their documents for verification. This has simplified the promotion process and now it’s all about age and years of service in the current grade.
TSC is promoting teachers based on age and years of service in the current grade. This is part of the commission’s efforts to fill 19,943 vacancies it announced recently. The vacancies include HOIs for teachers who want to become Heads of Institutions (HOIs), a critical role especially with the mass retirements of teachers at the end of June and August this year.
Promotions as a Solution to Teacher Shortages
With many teachers retiring this year including many HOIs, TSC’s promotion exercise is seen as a key strategy to fill the vacancies. The commission is not only looking at transitioning teachers but also securing leadership in schools that will have administrative gaps due to retirements.
With the retirements looming, TSC advertised 19,943 promotion vacancies from Job Group C1 to Job Group D4. Government allocated KSh 1 billion for these promotions to address the urgent staffing needs in both primary and post primary schools. Teachers had until midnight December 30th, 2024 to apply.
Documents for Promotion Interviews
Teachers who applied for promotion in response to TSC advert 1 to 4 of 2024 (which ran from November 12th to November 18th, 2024) are invited for interviews. The documents required for the interview process are:
- Original National ID
- Academic Certificates – KCSE, PTE, Diploma, Degree
- TPAD Ratings – 2021, 2022, 2023
- Letters of Appointment – Current grade and any acting positions
- Letter of Assignment – For HOI and Deputy HOI
- Valid Letter of Appointment – For those in acting positions
For those in acting positions, must have a letter confirming their acting capacity.
Post-Interview Requirements: Chapter 6 Compliance
After the interviews, successful candidates will be required to submit the following documents to comply with Chapter 6 of the Kenyan Constitution which requires public officers to lead by example. These are:
- Certificate of Good Conduct – Issued by DCI.
- HELB Clearance Certificate – To confirm no outstanding loans.
- Tax Compliance Certificate – From KRA.
- EACC Clearance – To confirm integrity.
- CRB Clearance – To show financial responsibility.
These are required before teachers are posted to schools based on vacancies.
Controversies
The six months acting period has raised eyebrows from some teachers. They say it will allow backdoor promotions for teachers who may not be qualified for the position. TSC data shows at least 3,300 school heads and deputies are in acting capacities which has fuelled these concerns.
And with 3,300+ schools without heads (1,918 primary and 1,441 secondary) the promotion is seen as a solution to the leadership crisis in the education sector. TSC admits there are not enough qualified teachers to take up these positions and the challenge of managing new schools.