The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) will begin issuing thousands of TSC teacher promotions letters from early February following promotional interviews held nationwide in October. Remaining letters for earlier interviews will be released in December, with the timing dependent on available funds.
Key Takeaways
- TSC teacher promotions letters will start being issued from early February.
- 21,313 promotion posts were advertised and 64,619 teachers were shortlisted for interviews.
- Promotion scoring emphasized age, years in current grade and administrative experience.
- President committed to doubling annual promotion allocations, potentially increasing yearly promotions.
TSC teacher promotions: who and when
The Commission advertised 21,313 promotional posts covering job groups C1 to D4, including Curriculum Support Officers (CSOs). Primary-school interviews were held from 6–10 October, while post-primary and CSO interviews were scheduled between 13–24 October but were partly rescheduled due to a national event. TSC plans to release most promotion letters from February, with about 980 letters from earlier interviews set for December.
How promotions were scored
The promotion score sheet focused on three main factors:
- Age — Older teachers scored higher: ages 52–56 scored 25 marks, 47–51 scored 20 marks, and those below 41 scored 10 marks.
- Years served in current grade — Long service in the same job group was rewarded: seven years or more earned 30 marks; six, five, four and three years scored 25, 20, 15 and 10 marks respectively.
- Administrative experience — Acting or previous deployment letters to administrative roles counted when awarding marks, even if the teacher no longer holds that position.
Promotion interview phases and panel roles
The interviews were conducted in two phases:
- Phase 1 (Primary) — Sub-county level interviews for primary grades (C2 to D1).
- Phase 2 (Post-primary and CSOs) — County level for C3 to D2 grades and regional level for senior principals and CSOs (C5 to D5).
Panels followed the Commission’s guidelines. The Chairperson led the panel, assigned questioning areas, ensured confidentiality and submitted daily soft-copy results. The Commission Secretary representative acted as secretary, validated documents and helped compile reports. The Director’s representative supported panel operations and asked guided questions.
Roadmap and timelines from the TSC circular
The TSC circular dated 11 September set clear timelines: virtual sensitization for officers, invitations to shortlisted candidates between 16–23 September, primary interviews 6–10 October, post-primary and CSO interviews 13–24 October, and submission of interview materials in early November. Regional, county and sub-county directors were directed to ensure interview venues are accessible to candidates with disabilities.
Funding and expected increase in promotion slots
Release of promotion letters depends on fund availability. During a State House meeting with teachers, the President pledged to increase the annual allocation for teacher promotions from Sh 1 billion to Sh 2 billion, and to raise the number of promotions from 25,000 to 50,000 per year. TSC has declared 97,255 promotions since the current administration began, across several rounds.
What teachers should do next
- Watch for official communication from your county or sub-county TSC office about the exact date for collection of promotion letters.
- Ensure your deployment and administrative letters are filed and available, as these may affect scoring or verification.
- Keep your profile details updated with TSC and confirm contact information so you receive notices promptly.
- Prepare supporting documents used during the interview — certificates, acting appointment letters and service records.
Useful resources
Teachers and administrators preparing for future promotional opportunities or needing curriculum materials can use free resources and past papers to strengthen professional development. For curriculum and classroom planning, see the free CBC curriculum designs. If you are reviewing exam practice or refresher materials, look at the free KCPE exams and the free KSCE exams. Those upgrading qualifications may find the Diploma in Education past papers helpful for study and preparation.
Summary
The TSC teacher promotions exercise follows a structured interview and scoring system focused on age, years in grade and administrative experience. Promotion letters will be issued from early February, subject to funds, and a government pledge aims to increase both funding and the number of annual promotions. Teachers should keep documents current and monitor official TSC communications for letter collection dates.
