The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) are expected to finalise and publish revised Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) soon following a job evaluation exercise. The new CPG aims to shorten the career ladder, separate classroom and administrative career tracks, and clarify entry and promotion requirements for primary, secondary and special needs teachers as well as TTC lecturers.
Key Takeaways
- The proposed Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) would reduce career levels from 56 to 43 across teaching cadres.
- Classroom teachers would have a separate progression path so they can advance without moving into administration.
- Job evaluation by SRC will determine final job grades and any salary implications linked to the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- Serving teachers need clarity on mapping, protection of existing benefits, and whether promotions will be automatic or competitive.
Why teachers are watching the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG)
Teachers have long raised concerns about slow promotion, unclear promotion criteria and a large number of small grades that can delay career movement. The revised CPG targets these problems by simplifying the structure and clarifying pathways for different qualifications. Many hope the new framework will shorten the time to promotion and reward classroom excellence without forcing teachers into administrative roles.
What changes are proposed in the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG)
The June 2026 proposal covers several major adjustments:
- Overall reduction of grades from 56 to 43.
- Distinct entry points for diploma and degree holders (for example, degree holders to enter at higher common-cadre grades in secondary schools).
- Separate career track for classroom teachers so progression is possible without taking on headship roles.
- Specific adjustments for special needs education, teacher training colleges and curriculum support officers.
For primary teachers the proposal maps Diploma holders (DPTE, DTE PP&P) to Teacher 8 and identifies Teacher 7 as the consolidated Senior Teacher grade. Certificate holders (PTE) would enter at Teacher 9. For secondary and TTC staff the document proposes clear entry points for diploma and degree holders to avoid mismatches in grading.
How the SRC job evaluation will affect grading and pay
The SRC job evaluation will determine the relative value of the new grades and any financial adjustments. This is a critical step: the evaluation does more than rename grades — it assigns job value, which then informs remuneration under the CBA.
Important points teachers should note:
- Grade reduction does not automatically equal a pay rise; salary changes depend on SRC outcomes and government decisions.
- Transition rules must state how serving teachers map to new grades and whether their current salary, pension and benefits are protected.
- The timing of implementation may link to the July 2027 CBA increment, making the evaluation outcome time-sensitive.
Will teachers receive automatic promotions?
No guaranteed automatic promotions are implied by grade reduction. The proposed CPG distinguishes between common-cadre grades (early-career progression routes) and competitive grades (promotion based on merit and competition). The final guidelines must explain mapping, application requirements for competitive posts, and how vacancies will influence movement.
What teachers and unions will scrutinise
Unions such as KNUT, KUPPET and KUSNET will review the final document for:
- Fairness in mapping existing teachers to new grades.
- Transparent promotion criteria and appraisal procedures.
- Recognition of professional development and protection of earned benefits.
- Measures to prevent disadvantage to teachers in under-resourced schools.
What to watch for this week
Teachers should wait for formal communication confirming:
- The approved career grades and entry requirements.
- Promotion criteria and whether a competitive process will apply.
- Salary implications and the link to the 2025–2029 CBA implementation date.
- Transition arrangements for serving teachers, including protection of pensions and allowances.
Practical steps for teachers now
While awaiting the final CPG and SRC report, teachers can prepare by:
- Gathering and organising qualification documents and service records.
- Reviewing professional development evidence for merit-based promotion.
- Checking subject-specific and curriculum resources to support classroom excellence; for example consult free CBC exams and CBC curriculum designs to align teaching evidence with expected standards.
- Lecturers and TTC staff should review qualification-based materials such as Diploma in Education past papers to support claims of expertise and readiness for proposed grades.
The revised Career Progression Guidelines could reshape teaching careers if they deliver clearer routes, fair assessments and protected benefits. Teachers should rely on official TSC and SRC announcements for final details and prepare their documents and evidence so they can take advantage of any new progression opportunities when the guidelines are published.
