The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has defended its teacher promotion process, explaining that budgetary constraints remain the biggest obstacle to advancing more educators despite increasing demand for career progression.
Speaking amid growing complaints from teachers and unions, Acting Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei said the commission is committed to promoting teachers but can only do so when Parliament allocates adequate funding.
She noted that promotions are directly tied to government budget provisions, making it impossible for the commission to promote all eligible teachers at once.
According to Mitei, the delays should not be interpreted as a lack of commitment to teachers’ welfare.
Instead, they reflect the financial realities facing the commission, which must work within the resources allocated each financial year.
Her remarks came after the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) criticized the commission over prolonged delays in promoting teachers, arguing that many educators have remained in the same job groups for years despite meeting the necessary qualifications.
Mitei explained that for the current financial year, the government has allocated KSh2 billion to facilitate teacher promotions.
The funding will enable TSC to promote 34,016 teachers serving in public schools across different grades and institutions.
She further stressed that promotions are not based solely on years of service or exceptional performance in the classroom.
Instead, teachers must satisfy the requirements outlined in the Career Progression Guidelines, which provide a structured framework for advancement within the teaching profession.
The acting CEO added that while teachers may excel in academic results, co-curricular activities, or other responsibilities, such achievements alone do not guarantee promotion if other eligibility conditions have not been met.
Mitei reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to ensuring that the promotion process remains fair, transparent, and compliant with established regulations.
Meanwhile, TSC recently announced 54,016 employment opportunities, including 34,016 promotion vacancies for serving teachers.
The advertised positions include 13,490 openings for Senior Teacher II, 5,956 for Senior Master IV, and 4,210 for Senior Teacher I, among other grades.
Eligible teachers have been encouraged to submit their applications through the TSC online recruitment portal before the August 10 deadline.
The commission expressed hope that the exercise will help address career progression concerns while strengthening leadership and service delivery in public schools.