TSC to promote 15,000 senior teachers, says agency’s chief

A total of senior 15,400 teachers are set for promotions after the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) invited applications from qualified candidates to fill vacancies in top positions mainly in secondary schools.

The promotions, TSC said in an advertisement, are in line with the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) for teachers.

TSC Secretary, Dr Nancy Macharia, says the commission is looking for qualified candidates to fill various vacancies including deputy principals, senior lecturers, senior masters, curriculum support officers, head teachers and deputy head teachers.

“Pursuant to its mandate, the Commission is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the posts in line with CPG for teaches.

Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications should make their online applications through TSC website so as to be received on or before January 31… manual applications will not be considered,” she said.

TSC is seeking to promote 1,341 teachers to the position of Deputy Principal I, 1,096 positions for Deputy Principal II, 39 for Senior lecturer I, 1,590 posts for Deputy Principal III and 209 Curriculum Support Officer.

Academic certificates

TSC will also promote 2,111 to the position of head teacher, 6,680 for Senior Master IV, 1,765 for Deputy head teacher II, 45 and 350 posts for Senior Lecturer IV and Senior Master IV respectively.

TSC also said that shortlisted candidates will be required to present valid statutory documents during interview, namely letter of appointment to the current grade they hold and that of appointment/deployment to the current responsibility.

They will also be expected to present certificate of good conduct from Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), clearance certificates from Higher Education Loans Board (Helb), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Credit Reference Bureau (CRB), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) respectively as well as their highest academic certificates. 

“Applicants are advised to give accurate information while making their applications. Those who give false information regarding their credentials will be automatically disqualified,” advised Macharia.

CPG outlines career path for school administrators and it with that of classroom teachers. This is designed to provide clear reporting structures in institutions and eliminate overlap in the grading structure.

The deliverables expected of each cadre of teachers have been set out in the guidelines, which are also be expected to facilitate setting of performance targets and accurate measurement of performance.

Under Career Guidelines, TSC states that promotion of teachers or lecturers will be subject to existence of funded vacancies in the approved establishment, minimum qualifications per grade, relevant Teacher Professional Development (TPD) modules and experience as well as satisfactory performance.

To qualify for the position of deputy head teacher II, a teacher must among other things have served as Senior Teacher I T- Scale 8 for a minimum period of three years, have satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal, successfully undertaken the relevant TPD modules, have a valid Teaching Certificate and demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.

The deputy Principal III is a promotional and an entry grade for Deputy Principals in secondary schools.

The Deputy Principal III reports to the Principal and provides support to the Principal of the institution in development and implementation of education plans, policies, programmes and curriculum activities

For appointment to this grade one must, have served as Senior Master III T-Scale 10 for a minimum period of three years, obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process, have successfully undertaken relevant TPD modules and have a Master’s degree in a relevant area.

The Deputy Principal II must also have a Master’s degree in relevant area and have served as Deputy Principal III or Senior Master II T-Scale 11 for a minimum period of three years in addition to having a valid teaching certificate.

For a head teacher to qualify for appointment, a teacher must have served as Deputy Head Teacher II TSC Scale 9 for a minimum period of three years, be in possession of a Bachelor of Education degree in or its equivalent, have satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process and successfully undertaken the relevant TPD modules. 

CSOs must have served as a teacher for a minimum period of 10years, a Bachelor’s degree in Education from a recognised institution or Bachelor’s degree plus a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from a recognised institution, Masters degree in Education/special education from a recognised institution, certificate in computer applications skills, demonstrated merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results and attended a management course lasting for not less than two weeks.