The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, established three Secondary School Principals’ grades in the 2018 Career Progression Guidelines. In the Circular the three promotional grades for Secondary Schools’ Principals are: Principal (T- Scale 13), Senior Principal (T- Scale 14) and Chief Principal (T- Scale 15). Below are details on the three grades; as contained in the Career Progression Guidelines by TSC.
PRINCIPAL T-SCALE 13
This is a promotional grade for administrators in secondary schools. The Principal is the lead educator and accounting officer and is responsible for the operational management of the institution. He/she is also responsible for the development and implementation of education plans, policies, programmes and curriculum activities of the institution.
Promotion to this grade will be competitive and subject to availability of vacancies in the establishment.
REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT TO PRINCIPAL T-SCALE 13
To qualify for appointment to this grade, a teacher must:-
i. have served as Deputy Principal II/Senior Master I T-Scale 12 for a minimum period of three (3) years;
ii. be a holder of Master’s degree in a relevant area;
iii. have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process;
iv. have successfully undertaken the relevant (TPD) modules;
v. have a valid Teaching Certificate;
vi. have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers;
vii. meet the requirements of Chapter six (6) of the Constitution; and
viii. meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.
SENIOR PRINCIPAL T-SCALE 14
This is a promotional grade for administrators in secondary schools. The Senior Principal is the lead educator and accounting officer and is responsible for the operational management of the institution. He/she is also responsible for the development and implementation of education plans, policies, programmes and curriculum activities of the institution.
Promotion to this grade will be competitive and subject to availability of vacancies in the establishment.
REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT AS A SENIOR PRINCIPAL T-SCALE 14
To qualify for appointment to this grade, a teacher must:-
i. have served as Principal/Deputy Principal I T-Scale 13 for a minimum period of three (3) years;
ii. be a holder of Master’s Degree in a relevant area;
iii. have a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal and/or Performance Contracting process;
iv. have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers;
v. have successfully undertaken the relevant (TPD) modules;
vi. have a valid Teaching Certificate;
vii. meet the requirements of Chapter six (6) of the Constitution; and
viii. meet any other requirements deemed necessary by the Commission.
CHIEF PRINCIPAL T-SCALE 15
This is a promotional grade for administrators in secondary schools. The Chief Principal is the lead educator and accounting officer and is responsible for the operational management of the institution. He/she is also responsible for the development and implementation of education plans, policies, programmes and curriculum activities of the institution.
Promotion to this grade will be competitive and subject to availability of vacancies in the establishment.
REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT AS A CHIEF PRINCIPAL T-SCALE 15
To qualify for appointment to this grade, a teacher must:-
i. have served as Senior Principal T-Scale 14 for a minimum period of three (3) years;
ii. be a holder of Master’s Degree in a relevant area;
iii. have satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal and performance contracting process;
iv. have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers;
v. have successfully undertaken the relevant TPD modules;
vi. have a valid Teaching Certificate;
vii. meet the requirements of Chapter six (6) of the Constitution; and
viii. meet any other requirements deemed necessary by the Commission.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PRINCIPAL, SENIOR
PRINCIPAL & CHIEF PRINCIPAL T-SCALES 13, 14 & 15
The duties of a teacher at this level shall be to:-
i. prepare lesson plans, lesson notes, timetables, schemes of work and maintain academic standards in the school to ensure that the syllabus is covered in time for evaluation;
ii. teach the subjects of specialization to impart knowledge, skills and attitudes to learners;
iii. evaluate learners on subjects of specialisation and prepare them for national and other examinations;
iv. coordinate and provide guidance and counselling services to the teachers, nonteaching staff and learners and instil norms and values for harmonious coexistence;
v. ensure proper discipline is maintained in the school by the teachers, nonteaching staff and learners to create a conducive learning environment;
vi. supervise the interpretation and implementation of the curriculum and ensure teachers prepare schemes of work, lesson plans and other professional documents;
vii. ensure that the necessary instructional materials are sourced, availed and utilised by teachers and learners to support the curriculum implementation;
viii. oversee the requisition of stores and the proper maintenance of inventories to achieve accountability and optimal utilisation;
ix. promote harmonious relations and linkages between the school and stakeholders for instance the local community, parents and private sector organisations;
x. introduce new ideas and programmes to ensure improvement in teaching and learning in the subjects of specialisation;
xi. embrace teamwork through collaborative planning and teaching to ensure consistency and improvement in curriculum delivery;
xii. serve as a role model and maintain learner discipline;
xiii. interpret the curriculum in the school to ensure effective teaching and learning;
xiv. oversee the organization of workshops/seminars/symposiums to share ideas to enhance performance;
xv. oversee implementation of remedial actions to support learners with performance gaps;
xvi. ensure health, safety and security of learners;
xvii. oversee prudent management of institutional resources;
xviii. ensure that learners are adequately prepared, registered and presented for the national and other examinations;
xix. coordinate identification of an appropriate curriculum for the school to provide more opportunities for learners in the optional subjects offered in the curriculum;
xx. interpret and implement policy decisions on training, recruitment and deployment of non-teaching staff in compliance with relevant laws and regulations;
xxi. promote the welfare of all staff and learners within the school for motivation, personal and professional growth;
xxii. manage issues of succession in the school;
xxiii. serve as the accounting officer of the institution and ensure prudent utilisation of financial resources in the school;
xxiv. maintain the school’s physical facilities and upgrade the same on a regular basis;
xxv. oversee procurement of goods and services, maintain all inventories and ensure availability of the necessary facilities and items;
xxvi. organize staff, Board of Management and parents meetings;
xxvii. facilitate access and retention of learners in the school;
xxviii. serve as Secretary and advisor to the Board of Management;
xxix. participate in coordination of institutional and national examinations;
xxx. induct and mentor staff to promote professionalism and integrity in the institution; and
xxxi. any other duty as may be assigned.
HOW TO GET PROMOTED TO PRINCIPALS’ GRADES.
Promotion to these, two, grades will be competitive and subject to availability of vacancies
in the establishment.Since the two grades are promotional, those wishing to hold them are first subjected to interviews by TSC. The Commission shall advertise the available vacancies and applicants who shall be shortlisted would be subjected to interviews.
INTERVIEW AREAS
The Commission has developed an interview score sheet. The following areas are tested and a candidate must score 50% and above in order to be deployed.
The interview areas and maximum marks to be awarded:
A). ADMINISTRATIVE ABILITIES IN THE CURRENT ASSIGNMENT
i). Achievements- 10 marks
ii). Co-curricular achievements- 8 marks
iii). Participation in Education affairs- 5 marks
iv). Knowledge on the formation, members and functions of BOG and
PTA- 5 marks
v)Role of the sponsor- 2 marks
SUB-TOTAL: 30 marks
B). KNOWLEDGE OF EDUCATION ISSUES ESPECIALLY TRENDS IN THE POST INDEPENDENCE PERIOD
i). Knowledge of all Education Commissions- 3
ii). Purpose for formation of such Commissions or working parties- 3 marks
iii). Their respective recommendations- 3 marks
iv). Adoptions/implementation- 3 marks
SUB-TOTAL: 12 marks
C). KNOWLEDGE OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION
I). Curriculum Development
i). Structure of Kenya Institute of Education- 3 marks
ii). Function of Kenya Institute of Education- 3 marks
iii). Current trends in the curriculum- 5 marks
II). Implementation
i). Structure and function of Teachers Service Commission- 5 marks
ii). Functions and structure of MOEST – Inspection and Directorate: 4 marks
III). Evaluation
i). Membership of Kenya National Examination Council- 3 marks
ii). Relationship between TSC, MoE/MoST, KNEC and KIE- 5 marks
SUB TOTAL: 28 marks
D). LEGAL FRAME WORK IN EDUCATION
i). Teachers Service Commission- 1 mark
ii). Education Act- 1 mark
ii). Kenya National Examination Council Act- 1 mark
iii). Trade and Dispute Act- 1 mark
iv). TSC Code of Regulations for teachers- 1 mark
v). Schemes of Service for teachers- 1 mark
vi). A Manual for Heads of Secondary Schools in Kenya- 1 mark
SUB-TOTAL: 7
E). OTHER EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS
i). Kenya Institute of Education- 2 marks
ii). Jomo Kenyatta Foundation- 2 marks
iii). Kenya Literature Bureau- 2 marks
iv). Kenya Education Staff Institute- 2 marks
SUB-TOTAL: 8
F). FUNCTIONS OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
i). Knowledge of the three arms of Government and their interrelationship- 3 marks
ii). Legislature; Its function, role of speaker, clerk and sergeant-at-arms- 3 marks
iii). Executive; Functions, role of the Permanent Secretaries vis-à-vis Ministers- 3 marks
iv). Judiciary; Functions, Structure, Attorney General, Chief justice etc.- 3 marks
SUB TOTAL 12
G). General Knowledge 3
GRAND TOTAL: 100%
