TSC Announces New Promotion Guidelines for All Teachers – What It Entails

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has provided new guidelines for the promotion of teachers in all cadres across the country for the 2025/2026 financial year.

In a circular dated August 11, 2025, and directed to TSC county, regional, and sub-county directors,  the commission said the guidelines standardize the procedures and criteria for promoting teachers across competitive grades in public educational institutions.

“These guidelines provide a structured, transparent, and equitable framework for teacher promotions,” TSC said.

“By aligning with legal standards, public service values and organizational priorities, they will enable the Commission to implement the promotion process effectively, efficiently and credibly.”

The commission said vacancy identification and allocation will be based on available budgetary provisions, staff attrition, and the existence of vacancies in the approved establishment.

All promotion vacancies will be advertised through the TSC website, mainstream print media, and any other platforms the commission may deem appropriate.

The application window will remain open for fourteen (14) days from the date of advertisement.

Applications must be submitted online through the designated TSC portal within the specified timeframe. Manual submissions will not be accepted.

All fields in the online application form must be completed accurately and in full, and applicants are advised to confirm the successful submission of their applications.

Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for promotion, a teacher must meet the following requirements:

• Have served a minimum of three (3) years in the current grade.
• Pursuant to Regulation 77 of the Code of Regulations for Teachers (2015), the Commission may refuse to consider a teacher for promotion if the teacher has not completed:
  a) Two (2) years from the date the teacher was found guilty following a disciplinary process; or
  b) One (1) year from the date the teacher was issued with an administrative warning.
• In line with Regulation 78 of the Code of Regulations for Teachers (2015), a teacher re-employed by the Commission shall complete at least three years of continuous service before being considered for promotion.

Also Read: TSC Declares 21,313 Vacancies for Senior Teachers and Principals

Shortlisting and Interview Process

• Candidates shall be shortlisted at a ratio of 1:3 per advertised vacancy, based on eligibility and merit as outlined in the promotion guidelines.
• The shortlisting process shall uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, inclusivity, and non-discrimination, ensuring all qualified candidates have an equal opportunity for consideration across counties.

Interviews shall be conducted at Sub-County, County, and Regional levels, depending on the grade and level of the position, as follows:

1. 1. Sub-County Panels – Will conduct interviews for all primary school teachers, including Head Teachers and Deputy Head Teachers.
   2. County Selection Panels – Will oversee interviews for all post-primary school teachers, including Deputy Principals.
   3. Regional Selection Panels – Will conduct interviews for Principals in Secondary Schools, Teachers Training Colleges (TTCs), and Curriculum Support Officers (Regular and SNE).

All shortlisted candidates shall be issued with a minimum of seven (7) days’ notice prior to the interview date.

The official invitation letter shall indicate the date, time, and venue of the interview, along with a checklist of documents required for presentation to the interview panel.

The interview process shall be guided by the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and objectivity, in line with the Commission’s commitment to a fair and transparent promotion process.

Scoring Criteria During Interviews

The Commission shall apply a standardized scoring guide to ensure a fair, transparent, and merit-based evaluation of all shortlisted candidates. The following parameters shall be considered:

1. Academic Qualifications – Higher academic qualifications will attract higher scores, reflecting a teacher’s commitment to continuous professional growth.
2. Acting Capacity – Teachers currently serving in acting or performing roles (e.g., Head of Institution, Deputy Head, Senior Master/Senior Teacher) will be awarded additional marks.
3. Length of Stay in One Grade – Teachers who have served longer in their current grade will earn higher scores.
4. Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development (TPAD) – Average TPAD ratings over the past three years will be considered, with consistently high-performing teachers earning additional points (except for CSO).
5. Seniority and Experience – Seniority and experience in the teaching service will accord teachers incremental scores.
6. Other Professional Assignments – Teachers involved in activities for KNEC, KICD, MOE, KISE, KEMI, and those conducted by the TSC (TIMEC and CBC Training) will be awarded special marks in recognition of their contribution.

Also Read: New Salaries and Allowances for Kenyan Teachers by Job Groups [FULL LIST]

Selection and Posting

The Commission’s Board shall oversee the entire process and approve the list of successful candidates.

Selection shall be based strictly on merit as determined by interview scores, while ensuring compliance with constitutional requirements on:

1. 1. Gender representation,
   2. Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and
   3. Regional diversity.

Upon approval, the Commission shall publish the list of successful candidates through its website. Heads and Deputy Heads of Institutions will be posted to schools with available vacancies.

An offer for promotion under this regulation shall lapse if not accepted within thirty (30) days, as per Regulation 81 of the Code of Regulations for Teachers (2015).

Special Considerations

Meanwhile, the Commission will endeavour to ensure that at least 5% of all promoted candidates are teachers registered as persons with disabilities under the Persons with Disabilities Act.

In compliance with Article 27(8) of the Constitution, not more than two-thirds of teachers promoted shall be of the same gender, thereby upholding gender equity in career progression within the teaching service.

The Commission will ensure that interview venues will be accessible for teachers with Disabilities.

An applicant with disabilities related to hearing and/or speech shall be allowed to the accompanied by a sign language interpreter.

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