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 followed a substantial application turnout, with more than 189,000 teachers competing for the limited positions, underscoring the intense competition and demand for career advancement within the teaching profession.
TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia defended the promotion process, asserting that it complied with legal frameworks and was decentralized to guarantee regional representation. However, the distribution has ignited controversy. For instance, Machakos County received 690 promotions, whereas Garissa County received only 303, prompting inquiries regarding the fairness of the allocation.
Members of Parliament and teacher unions have expressed concerns about the transparency of the process. They contend that certain teachers have been promoted multiple times in rapid succession, while others have remained in the same job group for more than a decade. This has resulted in calls for TSC to furnish detailed criteria for the promotions and to address the existing disparities.
While it is laudable that TSC is tackling career stagnation, the current promotion process appears to lack transparency and fairness. The considerable discrepancies between counties and the recurrent promotions of specific individuals indicate a necessity for a more equitable system. Teachers who have devoted years to their profession merit recognition and advancement opportunities.
What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you believe the promotion process was fair?