The teacher promotion process by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is guided by the Constitution of Kenya, the Code of Regulations for Teachers (CORT) 2015, the Career Progression Guidelines for Teachers 2018, and the Policy on Appointment and Deployment of Institutional Administrators 2017.
Career progression guidelines outline the entry requirements for the teaching service, promotion, and capacity building for teachers.
It also details the academic and professional criteria for teacher career advancement.
These guidelines are applicable to teachers serving in primary schools, secondary schools, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, and Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs).
They are also applied in the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), and Special Needs Institutions (Primary, Secondary, and TVET).
How TSC Promotes Teachers: Criteria and Minimum Requirements
The number of advertised vacancies is subject to budgetary provisions and the available vacancies in the establishment
The Commission conducts a thorough assessment based on established criteria, including interviews and performance evaluations
Teachers who are promoted receive official communication from the Commission, including new deployment instructions where applicable.
Direct appointments to any level will be determined by the entry qualifications and competencies prescribed for each level.
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Under the Career Guidelines, promotion of teachers/ Lecturers is subject to the following conditions:
I)Existence of funded vacancies in the approved establishment
II) Minimum qualifications per grade
III) Relevant Teacher Professional Development (TPD) modules
V) Relevant Experience; and satisfactory performance.
The Commission may decline to consider a teacher for promotion if they have not completed one year from the date an administrative warning was issued or have not completed two years from the date they were found guilty following disciplinary action.
Promotion is subject to the teacher’s willingness to take up the post immediately and report to the station where the vacancy exists. The offer of promotion lapses if not accepted within 30 days.
TSC Grading Structure and Establishment Grades
The grades established for each category of institution are as indicated below
I)Eight (8) grades for primary school teachers
II)Ten (10) grades for secondary school teachers
III)Six (6) grades for teachers at CEMASTEA
IV)Eight (8) grades for teachers in TVET institutions
V) Seven (7) grades for teachers in Teacher Training Colleges (TTC)
VI) Eight (8) grades for teachers inthe Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE)
VII) Special Needs Education Institutions (SNE)
SNE Primary – five (5) grades
SNE Secondary – eight (8) grades
SNE TVET – eight (8) grades
Further, TSC applies the following grades as common establishment in the teaching service.
I)Primary Teacher II T-Scale 5 and Primary Teacher I T-Scale 6 for Primary Teachers Education Certificate holders
II)Secondary Teacher III / Lecturer III T-Scale 6 and Secondary Teacher II /Lecturer II T-Scale 7 for Diploma holders
III)Secondary Teacher II/Lecturer II T-Scale 7 and Secondary Teacher I/Lecturer I T scale 8 for holders of Bachelor of Education or its equivalent.
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Requirements for Promotion of Primary School Teachers
| Job Titles | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Primary Teacher II T-SCALE 5 (Entry Grade) | – KCSE minimum mean grade C (Plain) or other recognized equivalent qualifications. – Primary Teacher Certificate (PTE) or its approved equivalent. – Registered as a teacher and in possession of a valid Teaching Certificate. – Meet the requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution. – Meet any other requirement the Commission may deem necessary. |
| Primary Teacher I T-SCALE 6 | – Served as Primary Teacher II T-Scale 5 for 3 years. – Satisfactory performance appraisal rating. – Completed relevant TPD modules. – Valid Teaching Certificate. – Demonstrated mastery of classroom management. – Meets requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution. – Meets any additional requirements the Commission may deem necessary. |
| Senior Teacher II T-SCALE 7 | – Served as Primary Teacher I T-Scale 6 for 3 years. – Satisfactory performance appraisal rating. – Completed relevant TPD modules. – Ability to supervise, mentor, and provide professional support to other teachers. – Valid Teaching Certificate. – Meets requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution. – Meets any additional requirements the Commission may deem necessary. |
| Senior Teacher I T-SCALE 8 | – Served as Senior Teacher II T-Scale 7 for 3 years. – Satisfactory performance appraisal rating. – Completed relevant TPD modules. – Ability to supervise, mentor, and provide professional support to other teachers. – Valid Teaching Certificate. – Meets requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution. – Meets any additional requirements the Commission may deem necessary. |
| Deputy Head Teacher II T-SCALE 9 | – Served as Senior Teacher I T-Scale 8 for 3 years. – Satisfactory performance appraisal rating. – Completed relevant TPD modules. – Valid Teaching Certificate. – Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and provide professional support to other teachers. – Meets requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution. – Meets any additional requirements the Commission may deem necessary. |
Deputy Head Teacher I T-SCALE 10 |
– Served as Deputy Head Teacher II T-Scale 9 for 3 years. – Satisfactory performance appraisal rating. – Completed relevant TPD modules. – Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and provide professional support to other teachers. – Valid Teaching Certificate. – Meets requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution. – Meets any additional requirements the Commission may deem necessary. |
| Head Teacher T-SCALE 10 | – Served as Deputy Head Teacher II T-Scale 9 for 3 years. – Possession of a Bachelor of Education degree or its equivalent. – Satisfactory performance appraisal rating. – Completed relevant TPD modules. – Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and provide professional support to other teachers. – Valid Teaching Certificate. – Meets requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution. – Meets any additional requirements the Commission may deem necessary. |
| Senior Head Teacher T-SCALE 11 | – Served as Head Teacher or Deputy Head Teacher I T-Scale 10 for 3 years. – Possession of a Bachelor of Education degree or its equivalent. – Satisfactory performance appraisal rating and/or performance contracting. – Completed relevant TPD modules. – Valid Teaching Certificate. – Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and provide professional support to other teachers. – Meets requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution. – Meets any additional requirements the Commission may deem necessary. |
Requirements for Promotion of Secondary School Teachers
| Title | Minimum Requirements |
|---|---|
| Secondary Teacher III T-Scale 6 (Entry Grade Diploma) | – KCSE with C+ (Plus) or equivalent – Diploma in Education (with two teaching subjects) – C+ in two teaching subjects at KCSE – Registered teacher with valid certificate – Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution – Any other requirement by the Commission |
| Secondary Teacher II T-Scale 7 (Entry Grade Degree) | – Served as Teacher III for 3 years – Satisfactory performance rating – Completed relevant TPD modules – Valid Teaching Certificate – Any other requirement by the Commission |
| Secondary Teacher I T-Scale 8 | – Served as Teacher II for 3 years – Satisfactory performance rating – Completed relevant TPD modules – Valid Teaching Certificate – Any other requirement by the Commission |
| Senior Master IV T-Scale 9 | – Served as Teacher I for 3 years – Satisfactory performance rating – Completed relevant TPD modules – Valid Teaching Certificate – Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution – Any other requirement by the Commission |
| Senior Master III T-Scale 10 | – Served as Senior Master IV for 3 years – Satisfactory performance rating – Completed relevant TPD modules – Valid Teaching Certificate – Demonstrated ability to mentor and support teachers – Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution – Any other requirement by the Commission |
| Senior Master II T-Scale 11 | – Served as Senior Master III for 3 years – Satisfactory performance rating – Completed relevant TPD modules – Valid Teaching Certificate – Demonstrated ability to mentor and support teachers – Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution – Any other requirement by the Commission |
Senior Master I T-Scale 12 |
– Served as Senior Master II or Deputy Principal III for 3 years – Satisfactory performance rating – Completed relevant TPD modules – Valid Teaching Certificate – Demonstrated ability to mentor and support teachers – Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution – Any other requirement by the Commission |
| Deputy Principal III T-Scale 11 | – Served as Senior Master III for 3 years – Satisfactory performance rating – Completed relevant TPD modules – Master’s degree in a relevant area – Valid Teaching Certificate – Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution – Any other requirement by the Commission |
| Deputy Principal II T-Scale 12 | – Served as Deputy Principal III or Senior Master II T-Scale 11 for 3 years – Satisfactory performance rating – Completed relevant TPD modules – Master’s degree in a relevant area – Valid Teaching Certificate – Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution – Any other requirement by the Commission |
| Deputy Principal I T-Scale 13 | – Served as Deputy Principal II or Senior Master I T-Scale 12 for 3 years – Master’s degree in a relevant area – Satisfactory performance rating – Completed relevant TPD modules – Valid Teaching Certificate – Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution – Any other requirement by the Commission |
Principal T-Scale 13 |
– Served as Deputy Principal II/Senior Master I T-Scale 12 for 3 years – Master’s degree in a relevant area – Satisfactory performance rating – Completed relevant TPD modules – Valid Teaching Certificate – Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and support teachers – Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution – Any other requirement by the Commission |
| Senior Principal T-Scale 14 | – Served as Principal/Deputy Principal I T-Scale 13 for 3 years – Master’s degree in a relevant area – Satisfactory performance rating – Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and support teachers – Completed relevant TPD modules – Valid Teaching Certificate – Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution – Any other requirement by the Commission |
| Chief Principal T-Scale 15 | – Served as Senior Principal T-Scale 14 for 3 years – Master’s degree in a relevant area – Satisfactory performance rating – Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and support teachers – Completed relevant TPD modules – Valid Teaching Certificate – Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution – Any other requirement by the Commission |
Special Needs Education Secondary School Teachers (SNE)
| Grade | Entry Requirements |
|---|---|
| Secondary Teacher II (SNE) T-Scale 8 | – Have served as Secondary School Teacher II T-Scale 7 for a minimum period of three (3) years. – Hold a bachelor’s degree in education or its equivalent with a Certificate/Diploma in Special Needs Education. – Have satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process. – Have successfully undertaken the relevant TPD modules. – Have a valid Teaching Certificate. – Meet the requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution. – Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission. |
| Secondary Teacher I (SNE) T-Scale 9 | – Have served as Secondary Teacher II (SNE) T-Scale 8 for a minimum period of three (3) years. – Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process. – Have successfully undertaken the relevant TPD modules. – Have a valid Teaching Certificate. – Meet the requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution. – Meet any other requirements deemed necessary by the Commission. |
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