The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has activated the first term appraisals and asked teachers to start their Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development (TPAD) records. The new upgrade, known as TPAD 3, introduces changes to teaching standards, subject scoring and professional development requirements designed to improve classroom practice and link appraisal to promotion.
Key Takeaways
- TPAD 3 is the upgraded appraisal tool replacing TPAD 2; teaching standards reduce from five to four.
- Teachers must submit term appraisals and heads must file Performance Contracts to sub-county directors.
- Scores are now required for specific learning areas (e.g., separate scores for Art & Craft, Music, PE).
- Two Teacher Professional Development (TPD) modules — one employer-funded and one teacher-funded — affect promotion points.
- TPAD evidence (three years) is required during promotion interviews.
TPAD 3: New Teacher Performance Appraisal Tool
TPAD 3 focuses on clearer, learner-centred measures of teacher performance. The four teaching standards now are: effective curriculum delivery, comprehensive learner‑centred environment, integration of technology in teaching and learning, and teacher professional growth and development. These standards aim to reflect current classroom practice and the increasing role of technology in learning.
What changed for teachers
Under the new system teachers must:
- Create and begin term appraisals promptly according to the TPAD calendar.
- Provide separate scores for distinct learning areas where applicable — for example, a teacher handling Creative Arts and Sports will submit separate scores for Art & Craft, Music and Physical Education.
- Maintain professional grooming and a supportive learning environment; some targets now carry specific point values.
- Participate in Teacher Professional Development (TPD). Two modules will be recognised differently for promotion depending on who funds them.
How TPAD affects promotion and professional growth
TPAD remains a key tool for promotion. During promotion interviews teachers must produce evidence of three years of TPAD compliance. The appraisal process is also intended to identify gaps through lesson observation and targeted professional development. The link between TPAD records and promotion makes accurate, timely entries and verifiable evidence essential.
TPAD calendar of activities at institution level
- Planning meetings — Heads, senior management and teachers set the school TPAD calendar (by the last week of the school holiday).
- Submission of professional documents — All teachers submit required documents (by end of the first week of term).
- Lesson observations — Appraisees and appraisers observe lessons and document professional gaps (between week 2 and week 10).
- Teacher professional development — Training to address gaps runs throughout the term.
- Internal monitoring and evaluation — Heads and HODs carry out continuous monitoring.
- County-level monitoring — Curriculum Support Officers and county directors monitor implementation.
- TPAD rating meetings — Appraisee and appraiser meet to agree ratings (by term closing date).
- Uploading evidence — Teachers and appraisers upload TPAD data and supporting evidence throughout the term.
Practical steps for teachers and heads of institution
- Follow the TPAD calendar: schedule planning, observations and training early in the term.
- Break down subject scores where required and keep clear evidence (photos, lesson plans, attendance registers).
- Record lesson observations and agreed improvement steps immediately after observation.
- Complete TPD modules and keep certificates; note which module was employer-funded and which was self-funded.
- Prepare a three‑year TPAD portfolio for promotion interviews with easily verifiable documents.
Resources and curriculum support
Teachers adapting to TPAD 3 will find curriculum designs and lesson plans useful when preparing evidence and lesson records. Use the school curriculum materials such as CBC curriculum designs, subject-specific junior secondary guides like JSS curriculum designs, and practical lesson materials from the CBC lesson plans collection to strengthen lesson delivery and evidence of professional practice.
Final practical tips
- Keep all TPAD uploads clear and dated; use simple labels for files and photos.
- Engage with appraisers during observations and agree on development actions.
- Use technology where possible to store and present evidence (digital lesson plans, photos, certificates).
- Review the four TPAD standards regularly and align lesson objectives to them.
