The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) concluded the primary school phase of the 2026 promotion interviews on 15 September 2026. The Commission will hold the second phase—targeting secondary school teachers, Teacher Training College (TTC) tutors and Curriculum Support Officers (CSOs)—from 17 to 25 September 2026. This article explains the schedule, the documents required, and how teachers should prepare for the upcoming TSC promotion interviews.
Key Takeaways
- TSC promotion interviews for primary teachers ran from 8–15 September 2026 and finished smoothly.
- The second phase for secondary teachers, TTC tutors and CSOs runs from 17–25 September 2026.
- Candidates must bring original IDs, academic certificates and TPAD reports for 2023–2025 to interviews.
- Successful candidates will later submit clearance documents such as the DCI Good Conduct and KRA Tax Compliance certificates.
TSC promotion interviews: current status
The first, decentralized phase focused on primary-school promotions. Field directors at regional and county levels ran interviews simultaneously at multiple centres to speed up the process. Panels reported high attendance and orderly conduct by candidates. The Commission advertised 34,016 promotion vacancies across job groups C2 to D5 and 30 job designations, covering classroom and senior administrative roles.
Schedule for the next phase
The second phase begins on Thursday, 17 September 2026, and runs through 25 September 2026. This seven-day exercise covers:
- Secondary school teachers
- Teacher Training College (TTC) tutors
- Curriculum Support Officers (CSOs)
Unlike the primary phase, the Director of Staffing at TSC headquarters will lead this phase together with regional, county, and sub-county directors because the roles are more specialised and senior.
Documents required during promotion interviews
TSC requires candidates to present original documents at the interview venue. The exact documents depend on the promotion level: classroom promotions need fewer papers than headship or senior administrative roles. Commonly required documents include:
- Original Identity Card (ID)
- Original academic certificates (KCSE, PTE, Diploma, Degree, Master’s)
- Letter of appointment to current grade
- Latest TSC payslip
- Last promotional letter
- Letter assigning responsibility as Head of Institution (HOI), Deputy Head (DHOI), or Senior Teacher (if applicable)
- Performance appraisal reports (TPAD) for 2023, 2024 and 2025
- Evidence of professional engagement (for example, TIMEC, CBC, CEMASTEA, KNEC examiner or item developer, KICD panelist)
- Evidence of participation in co-curricular activities at sub-county, county, regional or national level
Documents required after successful interviews
If you are shortlisted after the interview, TSC will ask for additional clearance documents before confirming promotion. These post-interview checks are mandatory and include:
- A valid Certificate of Good Conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI)
- Clearance certificate from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
- Tax Compliance Certificate from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)
- Clearance from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)
- Clearance certificate from an approved Credit Reference Bureau (CRB)
How teachers should prepare
Follow these practical steps to improve your readiness:
- Confirm your interview date and venue from the SMS or email sent by TSC and arrive early.
- Organize original documents and neat photocopies in a labelled folder.
- Prepare a concise summary of your professional development activities, leadership roles and co-curricular contributions.
- Review TPAD records for 2023–2025 to be ready to discuss performance highlights.
- If applying for senior roles, prepare a fuller dossier showing management experience and curriculum leadership.
Quick resources and study links
To support professional development and interview preparation, consider these free resources:
- Diploma in Education past papers — useful for brushing up on core teaching theory and pedagogy.
- CBC curriculum designs — helpful for Curriculum Support Officer candidates and those demonstrating curriculum expertise.
- Secondary school schemes of work — useful for secondary teachers preparing to discuss subject planning and assessment.
Final checklist before your interview
- Confirm notification: Check SMS and email for TSC interview invites and instructions.
- Pack originals: ID, academic certificates, appointment letter, payslip, last promotion letter and TPAD 2023–2025.
- Prepare evidence: Training and co-curricular certificates, letters of assignment, and records of professional roles.
- Expect vetting: If successful, be ready to submit DCI, HELB, KRA, EACC and CRB clearances.
Keeping documents complete and demonstrating clear professional engagement will help candidates perform well during the TSC promotion interviews. Monitor TSC communications closely and prepare your dossier early to avoid last-minute delays.
