The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has opened the Term Three TPAD portal, requiring all teachers in primary, secondary and Teacher Training Colleges to complete termly appraisals. This activation follows an extended and troubled Term Two cycle where system outages forced a deadline extension and left many teachers racing to submit evidence ahead of upcoming promotion interviews.
Key Takeaways
- TPAD portal for Term Three is now active; teachers should begin uploading evidence immediately.
- Term Two appraisals were extended after widespread server failures; avoid last-minute submissions to reduce risk.
- Three-year TPAD compliance is mandatory for eligibility to TSC promotion interviews starting in October.
- Follow the official TPAD calendar and subject-specific scoring rules to reduce disputes and show-cause risks.
TPAD: Purpose and timeline
TPAD (Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development) is the Commission’s digital system for tracking teacher performance, supporting professional development and providing data for promotions and deployment. The portal opened on August 27, 2026, after the second-term window was extended to allow teachers to submit and countersign appraisal documents affected by system crashes.
What went wrong in Term Two
During the close of Term Two many teachers reported the portal timing out, inability to save data, and locked dashboards. Administrators who needed to observe lessons or countersign submissions also faced access problems. These technical failures coincided with strict closing dates and generated widespread anxiety because missed or incomplete TPAD records can lead to show-cause letters and block promotion eligibility.
Why TPAD matters for promotions
TPAD compliance is now a central requirement for career progression. The TSC has allocated funds for promotions and advertised tens of thousands of vacancies. Teachers must meet a three-year TPAD compliance rule to be considered for interview. Under current evaluation rules TPAD contributes measurable marks to promotion scores, so accurate and timely submission is essential.
Practical steps teachers should take now
- Upload evidence progressively across the term rather than waiting for the deadline.
- Follow subject-specific guidance — for Creative Arts and Sports, submit separate scores for Art & Craft, Music and PE.
- Keep clear records of lesson observations, professional development activities and attendance registers.
- Engage early with your appraiser (HOD, deputy or headteacher) to agree ratings and avoid last-minute disputes.
Institution-level TPAD calendar
To spread workload and make appraisals meaningful, use the institution-level calendar below:
- Planning meetings — Heads of Institution and SMT: by the last week of the school holiday
- Submission of professional documents — Heads and all teachers: by the end of the first week of term
- Lesson observations & gap identification — Appraisees and appraisers: between week 2 and week 10
- Professional development — Continuous throughout the term
- Internal monitoring & evaluation — Heads, deputies and HODs: ongoing
- County-level monitoring — CSOs and directors: throughout the term
- TPAD rating meetings — Teachers and appraisers: by the closing date of the term
- Uploading TPAD data and evidence — Continuous throughout the term
Accountability: roles and consequences
The Commission holds school administrators personally accountable for timely appraisals and countersigning. Failure by heads, principals or deputies to complete their statutory duties can directly deny teachers promotion eligibility and may attract disciplinary action. County and sub-county officers are expected to monitor compliance to ensure fairness and consistency.
Recognition: the Wajibika Award
Alongside enforcement, the system rewards excellent service. The Wajibika Award recognises public servants who maintain outstanding TPAD compliance and ethical standards. Shortlisted teachers needed a TPAD compliance rate of at least 95% across six consecutive terms to qualify, and thousands nationwide were acknowledged for consistent performance.
Preparing for October promotion interviews
With promotion interviews scheduled to start in October, teachers should prioritise finalising TPAD evidence now. Upload documents early, confirm countersigns and resolve any appraisal disputes with your appraiser. Progressive uploads reduce the risk of server congestion and protect your eligibility for interview.
Further resources for teachers
For curriculum planning, tests and teaching materials that support better TPAD evidence, explore free resources such as the CBC exam practice papers, the CBC curriculum designs, and practical CBC lesson plans. These resources help document lesson objectives, assessment evidence and professional practice required by TPAD.
Follow the TPAD calendar, keep detailed evidence, and liaise with appraisers early. Consistent compliance protects promotion chances and supports professional growth while reducing the risk of administrative penalties.
