The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has postponed the promotion of educators due to a significant shortage of financial resources.
Approximately 179,000 teachers in primary and secondary education have experienced stagnation within their respective job groups as a result of inadequate funding.
During a session with the National Assembly Education Committee, led by Kasipul MP Eve Obara, TSC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nancy Macharia presented a concerning overview of the current situation, highlighting the impediments to teachers’ career advancement.
Dr. Macharia indicated that the TSC requires 3 billion Kenyan shillings to facilitate the promotion of 178,871 teachers who have remained in the same job groups for an extended period, despite meeting the qualifications for advancement.
Dr. Macharia articulated that insufficient budgetary allocations have severely hindered the professional development of teachers. This stagnation has led to grievances from teacher unions, diminished morale, and an increase in attrition rates within the teaching profession.
Her statements coincided with rising discontent among educators, who accuse the TSC of favoritism in the promotion process and criticize the commission’s quota system for unjustly excluding qualified candidates.
In her defense against allegations of partiality, Macharia clarified that the TSC had received only 2 billion shillings for teacher promotions over the past two fiscal years, which is significantly less than the 3.5 billion shillings required to address the existing backlog.
Nevertheless, the TSC successfully promoted 151,611 teachers during that timeframe, with 75,090 promotions occurring through common cadre processes and 76,521 through competitive methods.
In the current fiscal year, 25,252 teachers have already been promoted following interviews conducted earlier. However, the CEO acknowledged that 381 advertised positions remain unfilled, despite a high level of interest from applicants. In November of the previous year, the TSC received 5,690 applications, followed by an additional 19,943 in December.
Dr. Macharia noted that although the TSC had requested 2 billion shillings from the National Treasury for this year’s promotions, only 1 billion shillings was allocated. Many educators contend that the quota system, which distributes promotion opportunities based on regional or categorical criteria, disproportionately disadvantages diligent individuals, particularly in densely populated areas characterized by intense competition.
In rural regions, logistical challenges exacerbate the situation, as interviews may not be conducted in a timely manner, and some schools remain understaffed due to the departure of experienced teachers in response to frustration. While the TSC has made progress in promoting thousands of teachers despite financial constraints, the magnitude of the backlog continues to pose a significant challenge. Absent immediate intervention and sustained financial support, many educators will remain ensnared in a cycle of discontent and exhaustion.
Eve Obara underscored the importance of supporting teachers, stating, “Our teachers are the backbone of this nation’s future. We must do right by them — not just with words, but with resources and action.”
