How TSC Promotes Teachers: Criteria and Basic Requirements

How TSC Promotes Teachers: Criteria and Basic Requirements

The process for promoting teachers by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is governed by the Constitution of Kenya, the Code of Regulations for Teachers (CORT) 2015, the Career Progression Guidelines for Teachers 2018, and the Policy on Appointment and Deployment of Institutional Administrators 2017.

The Career Progression Guidelines specify the entry criteria for the teaching profession, pathways for promotion, and opportunities for professional development for teachers.

These guidelines outline the academic and professional standards necessary for advancing a teacher’s career.

They apply to educators in primary schools, secondary schools, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, and Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs).

Additionally, they are relevant for the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), and institutions for special needs education (both primary, secondary, and TVET).

How TSC Carries out Teacher Promotions: Criteria and Basic Requirements

The number of job openings announced is contingent upon budget allocations and the existing vacancies within the organization.

The Commission carries out a comprehensive evaluation based on set criteria, which includes interviews and performance assessments.

Teachers who are promoted receive formal notification from the Commission, along with new deployment instructions if necessary.

Direct appointments at any level are based on the qualifications and competencies required for that specific level.

According to the Career Guidelines, the promotion of teachers and lecturers depends on the following conditions:

I) Availability of funded vacancies in the approved establishment

II) Minimum qualifications for each grade

III) Completion of relevant Teacher Professional Development (TPD) modules

IV) Relevant experience; and satisfactory performance.

The Commission may choose not to consider a teacher for promotion if they have not completed one year since receiving an administrative warning or two years since being found guilty in a disciplinary matter.

Promotion is contingent upon the teacher’s readiness to accept the position immediately and report to the location of the vacancy. If the promotion offer is not accepted within 30 days, it will expire.

TSC Grading Structure and Establishment

Grades

The grades established for each category of institution are as indicated below

I)Eight (8) grades for primary school teachers

II)Ten (10) grades for secondary school teachers

III)Six (6) grades for teachers at CEMASTEA

IV)Eight (8) grades for teachers in TVET institutions

V) Seven (7) grades for teachers in Teacher Training Colleges (TTC)

VI) Eight (8) grades for teachers inthe Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE)

VII) Special Needs Education Institutions (SNE)

SNE Primary – five (5) grades

SNE Secondary – eight (8) grades

SNE TVET – eight (8) grades

Further, TSC applies the following grades as common establishment in the teaching service.

I)Primary Teacher II T-Scale 5 and Primary Teacher I T-Scale 6 for Primary Teachers Education Certificate holders

II)Secondary Teacher III / Lecturer III T-Scale 6 and Secondary Teacher II /Lecturer II T-Scale 7 for Diploma holders

III)Secondary Teacher II/Lecturer II T-Scale 7 and Secondary Teacher I/Lecturer I T scale 8 for holders of Bachelor of Education or its equivalent.

Requirements for Promotion of Primary School Teachers

Job Titles

Requirements

Primary Teacher II T-SCALE 5 (Entry Grade) – KCSE minimum mean grade C (Plain) or other recognized equivalent qualifications.
– Primary Teacher Certificate (PTE) or its approved equivalent.
– Registered as a teacher and in possession of a valid Teaching Certificate.
– Meet the requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution.
– Meet any other requirement the Commission may deem necessary.

Primary Teacher I T-SCALE 6 – Served as Primary Teacher II T-Scale 5 for 3 years.
– Satisfactory performance appraisal rating.
– Completed relevant TPD modules.
– Valid Teaching Certificate.
– Demonstrated mastery of classroom management.
– Meets requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution.
– Meets any additional requirements the Commission may deem necessary.
Senior Teacher II T-SCALE 7 – Served as Primary Teacher I T-Scale 6 for 3 years.
– Satisfactory performance appraisal rating.
– Completed relevant TPD modules.
– Ability to supervise, mentor, and provide professional support to other teachers.
– Valid Teaching Certificate.
– Meets requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution.
– Meets any additional requirements the Commission may deem necessary.

Senior Teacher I T-SCALE 8 – Served as Senior Teacher II T-Scale 7 for 3 years.
– Satisfactory performance appraisal rating.
– Completed relevant TPD modules.
– Ability to supervise, mentor, and provide professional support to other teachers.
– Valid Teaching Certificate.
– Meets requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution.
– Meets any additional requirements the Commission may deem necessary.

Deputy Head Teacher II T-SCALE 9 – Served as Senior Teacher I T-Scale 8 for 3 years.
– Satisfactory performance appraisal rating.
– Completed relevant TPD modules.
– Valid Teaching Certificate.
– Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and provide professional support to other teachers.
– Meets requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution.
– Meets any additional requirements the Commission may deem necessary.

Deputy Head Teacher I T-SCALE 10
– Served as Deputy Head Teacher II T-Scale 9 for 3 years.
– Satisfactory performance appraisal rating.
– Completed relevant TPD modules.
– Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and provide professional support to other teachers.
– Valid Teaching Certificate.
– Meets requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution.
– Meets any additional requirements the Commission may deem necessary.

Head Teacher T-SCALE 10 – Served as Deputy Head Teacher II T-Scale 9 for 3 years.
– Possession of a Bachelor of Education degree or its equivalent.
– Satisfactory performance appraisal rating.
– Completed relevant TPD modules.
– Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and provide professional support to other teachers.
– Valid Teaching Certificate.
– Meets requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution.
– Meets any additional requirements the Commission may deem necessary.

Senior Head Teacher T-SCALE 11 – Served as Head Teacher or Deputy Head Teacher I T-Scale 10 for 3 years.
– Possession of a Bachelor of Education degree or its equivalent.
– Satisfactory performance appraisal rating and/or performance contracting.
– Completed relevant TPD modules.
– Valid Teaching Certificate.
– Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and provide professional support to other teachers.
– Meets requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution.
– Meets any additional requirements the Commission may deem necessary.
Requirements for

Promotion of Secondary School Teachers

Title Minimum Requirements

Secondary Teacher III T-Scale 6 (Entry Grade Diploma) – KCSE with C+ (Plus) or equivalent
– Diploma in Education (with two teaching subjects)
– C+ in two teaching subjects at KCSE
– Registered teacher with valid certificate
– Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution
– Any other requirement by the Commission

Secondary Teacher II T-Scale 7 (Entry Grade Degree) – Served as Teacher III for 3 years
– Satisfactory performance rating
– Completed relevant TPD modules
– Valid Teaching Certificate
– Any other requirement by the Commission

Secondary Teacher I T-Scale 8 – Served as Teacher II for 3 years
– Satisfactory performance rating
– Completed relevant TPD modules
– Valid Teaching Certificate
– Any other requirement by the Commission
Senior Master IV T-Scale 9 – Served as Teacher I for 3 years
– Satisfactory performance rating
– Completed relevant TPD modules
– Valid Teaching Certificate
– Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution
– Any other requirement by the Commission
Senior Master III T-Scale 10 – Served as Senior Master IV for 3 years
– Satisfactory performance rating
– Completed relevant TPD modules
– Valid Teaching Certificate
– Demonstrated ability to mentor and support teachers
– Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution
– Any other requirement by the Commission

Senior Master II T-Scale 11 – Served as Senior Master III for 3 years
– Satisfactory performance rating
– Completed relevant TPD modules
– Valid Teaching Certificate
– Demonstrated ability to mentor and support teachers
– Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution
– Any other requirement by the Commission

Senior Master I T-Scale 12
– Served as Senior Master II or Deputy Principal III for 3 years
– Satisfactory performance rating
– Completed relevant TPD modules
– Valid Teaching Certificate
– Demonstrated ability to mentor and support teachers
– Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution
– Any other requirement by the Commission

Deputy Principal III T-Scale 11 – Served as Senior Master III for 3 years
– Satisfactory performance rating
– Completed relevant TPD modules
– Master’s degree in a relevant area
– Valid Teaching Certificate
– Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution
– Any other requirement by the Commission

Deputy Principal II T-Scale 12 – Served as Deputy Principal III or Senior Master II T-Scale 11 for 3 years
– Satisfactory performance rating
– Completed relevant TPD modules
– Master’s degree in a relevant area
– Valid Teaching Certificate
– Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution
– Any other requirement by the Commission

Deputy Principal I T-Scale 13 – Served as Deputy Principal II or Senior Master I T-Scale 12 for 3 years
– Master’s degree in a relevant area
– Satisfactory performance rating
– Completed relevant TPD modules
– Valid Teaching Certificate
– Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution
– Any other requirement by the Commission

Principal T-Scale 13
– Served as Deputy Principal II/Senior Master I T-Scale 12 for 3 years
– Master’s degree in a relevant area
– Satisfactory performance rating
– Completed relevant TPD modules
– Valid Teaching Certificate
– Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and support teachers
– Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution
– Any other requirement by the Commission
Senior Principal T-Scale 14 – Served as Principal/Deputy Principal I T-Scale 13 for 3 years
– Master’s degree in a relevant area
– Satisfactory performance rating
– Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and support teachers
– Completed relevant TPD modules
– Valid Teaching Certificate
– Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution
– Any other requirement by the Commission

Chief Principal T-Scale 15 – Served as Senior Principal T-Scale 14 for 3 years
– Master’s degree in a relevant area
– Satisfactory performance rating
– Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and support teachers
– Completed relevant TPD modules
– Valid Teaching Certificate
– Meets Chapter Six of the Constitution
– Any other requirement by the Commission

Special Needs Education Secondary School Teachers (SNE)

Grade Entry Requirements

Secondary Teacher II (SNE) T-Scale 8 – Have served as

Secondary School Teacher II T-Scale 7 for a minimum period of three (3) years.
– Hold a bachelor’s degree in education or its equivalent with a Certificate/Diploma in Special Needs Education.
– Have satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
– Have successfully undertaken the relevant TPD modules.
– Have a valid Teaching Certificate.
– Meet the requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution.
– Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

Secondary Teacher I (SNE) T-Scale 9 – Have served as Secondary Teacher II (SNE) T-Scale 8 for a minimum period of three (3) years.
– Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
– Have successfully undertaken the relevant TPD modules.
– Have a valid Teaching Certificate.
– Meet the requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution.
– Meet any other requirements deemed necessary by the Commission.