Teachers’ frustrations with prolonged stagnation in the same job group have once again put the TSC in the spotlight. Educators across the country are demanding reversion to the schemes of service, saying the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) introduced in 2017 have been punitive and demoralizing.
This week, members of the Parliamentary Committee on Education quizzed TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia on the increasing number of teachers who have been in the same grade for over 15 years without promotion. According to Committee Chair Julius Melly, the current system has caused widespread disillusionment and eroded morale in the teaching profession.
“CPG Has Failed Us” – Teachers Cry Out
Teachers in various counties have expressed dismay, saying CPG has denied them upward mobility, replacing an automatic promotion system with interview-based evaluations that in many cases yield no results.
“TSC came up with CPG to curb our upward movement. We were okay with the schemes of service that ensured promotion every three years. Today, your former student can join the profession and rise above you,” said Mr. Odongo, a teacher who has attended multiple promotion interviews without success.
Most teachers argue that the Schemes of Service (SOS) offered a predictable, merit-based progression tied to years of service and satisfactory performance. CPG has introduced uncertainty, leaving many teachers feeling trapped and overlooked.
Funding Constraints or Systemic Failure?
In her response to the committee, Dr. Macharia cited lack of funds from the National Treasury as the major challenge to promoting teachers. But the committee was not convinced, especially after TSC admitted that over 178,000 teachers were due for promotion but are stuck.
This has raised concerns of favoritism, discrimination and regional imbalance in how promotion opportunities are allocated. Critics say CPG is not transparent and favors certain regions or cadres.
Political Pressure Mounts
Two weeks ago, Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera threatened to move a motion in Parliament to dissolve TSC accusing the commission of tribalism, favoritism and discrimination in promotion. He cited the latest promotions as evidence of widespread discontent among teachers.
As public outcry grows, pressure is mounting on TSC to audit or scrap the CPG framework and go back to the schemes of service—a model many believe was fair, consistent and morale boosting for the teaching profession.
What Next for TSC?
The commission is now on the spot. Teachers, education stakeholders and lawmakers are all calling for a systemic change of the current promotion framework. If TSC doesn’t act fast, it will further alienate a workforce already stuck for years and feeling injustice.
Restoring trust in the system may require nothing less than a full repeal of the Career Progression Guidelines and go back to a proven, structured model that supports career growth without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.
