TSC’s 25,000 Teacher Promotions: A Step Forward or Just Another Unfair Distribution?
In April 2025, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) declared the promotion of 25,252 teachers throughout Kenya. This announcement came after a substantial application turnout, with over 189,000 teachers competing for the limited positions, underscoring the fierce competition and desire for career progression in the teaching field.
TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia justified the promotion process, asserting that it followed legal guidelines and was decentralized to guarantee regional representation. Nevertheless, the distribution has ignited controversy. For example, Machakos County was granted 690 promotions, while Garissa County received merely 303, prompting questions about the equity of the distribution.
Members of Parliament and teacher unions have voiced their concerns regarding the process’s transparency. They claim that some teachers have been consecutively promoted multiple times, whereas others have stayed in the same job group for over ten years. This situation has resulted in demands for TSC to disclose comprehensive criteria for the promotions and to rectify the inequalities.
While it is praiseworthy that TSC is tackling career stagnation, the current promotion process seems to lack transparency and fairness. The notable inequalities between counties and the repeated promotions of specific individuals indicate a necessity for a more just system. Teachers who have devoted years to their profession merit acknowledgment and advancement opportunities.
What are your views on this matter? Do you think the promotion process was equitable?