A staggering 189,000 teachers have applied for 25,288 promotional positions advertised by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), underscoring the growing demand for career progression within Kenya’s teaching profession. This latest recruitment exercise, aimed at addressing stagnation and upgrading teachers to higher job grades, has drawn widespread interest from educators nationwide.
According to a TSC notice, the commission received an overwhelming number of applications, signaling the large pool of qualified teachers awaiting upward mobility. Of the total vacancies, 9,179 are designated for post-primary institutions, while 16,109 are allocated for primary schools.
The recruitment process, which began on January 13 and is set to conclude on January 23 for primary school applicants, involves 96,640 shortlisted candidates battling for positions at sub-county TSC offices. For post-primary institutions, 44,043 teachers in Grades C3 to D2 will attend interviews from January 27 to February 7. Additionally, 7,224 principals and teachers in Grades D3 to D5 are scheduled to participate in interviews at regional TSC headquarters during the same period.
TSC’s promotional strategy comprises three interview tiers: sub-county level for primary school vacancies, county level for Grades C3 to D2, and regional level for D3 to D5. These structured interviews aim to ensure a fair and transparent selection process across all levels.
Despite the commendable effort by TSC, the available 25,288 slots fall significantly short of the 130,000 positions demanded by teachers’ unions during their industrial action last year. The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has long decried career stagnation, citing its negative impact on teacher morale and the overall quality of education.
Kuppet argues that decades-long stagnation has left many educators frustrated and demotivated, thereby affecting classroom service delivery. However, TSC has maintained that delays in promotions are primarily due to insufficient government funding.
This recruitment drive highlights the pressing need for more resources to address career stagnation among Kenya’s teachers. While the current exercise marks progress, the unmet demand for promotions underscores the critical importance of aligning education sector funding with the growing needs of the teaching workforce.
As the interviews proceed, thousands of teachers are hopeful for career advancements that could finally reward their dedication and restore enthusiasm in a profession fundamental to Kenya’s future development.
