The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has made an important announcement regarding the promotion of primary school teachers. Brace yourselves because this decision is bound to shake things up a bit. TSC has decided to put a halt on promoting teachers in job group C2 to become deputy headteachers. Yes, you heard it right!
According to the Commission, this new move will not only affect current C2 teachers, but also those who are serving as acting deputy headteachers. It seems like no one will be skipping a job group when it comes to promotions under the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) for teachers. So, what does this mean exactly? Well, let me break it down for you.
If a senior teacher is currently in job group C2, they will now have to go through job group C3 before becoming eligible for the position of deputy headteacher in C4. Similarly, teachers who are currently serving as acting deputy headteachers must first be in job group C3 and have a minimum of three years of experience in that position before they can be confirmed as deputy headteachers in C4.
Now, let’s dive into the reason behind this decision. It seems like there are some challenges when it comes to filling vacant positions and promoting qualified teachers. Despite numerous appeals by the Commission for teachers to apply for available positions, there seems to be a lack of interest. Nancy Macharia, the Chief Executive of TSC, expressed her concern during a recent meeting with the National Assembly Education Committee. She highlighted that even though there were thousands of vacancies advertised, only a fraction of them were filled with qualified applicants.
In response to these challenges, TSC re-advertised the unfilled vacancies in June 2023 and the selection process is currently ongoing. However, some MPs have raised questions about the high standards set for applicants and the limited opportunities available in certain regions. The issue of teacher promotions based on localisation has also been brought to the forefront. Teachers are now competing for vacancies within their own counties, which limits their mobility and potential career growth.
The conversation didn’t stop there. There were concerns raised about teachers who have been acting in the same job group for extended periods of time without any promotion. Malulu Injendi, an MP, voiced his frustrations and called for more permanent positions to be advertised. Dr. Macharia, in response, pointed fingers at the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), stating that efforts to address these issues have fallen on deaf ears.
So, my friends, it seems like there’s a lot of back and forth happening regarding teacher promotions and the challenges faced by TSC. The education sector is certainly not without its complexities. As we navigate through these discussions and decisions, let’s keep in mind the importance of recognizing and rewarding our hardworking teachers. They play a crucial role in shaping the future of our nation.
Stay tuned for more updates on the evolving landscape of teacher promotions and the efforts being made to ensure fairness and growth within the education sector. Until then, let’s continue to support and appreciate our dedicated teachers who are making a difference in the lives of our students.
