Shock as TSC cuts expected promotions by 20,000
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced that only 30,000 teachers will be promoted this year, a reduction from the 50,000 slots
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced that only 30,000 teachers will be promoted this year, a reduction from the 50,000 slots previously promised by President William Ruto.
Acting CEO Eveleen Mitei disclosed on May 13 during a session with the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Education, responding to ongoing concerns affecting the education sector.
The cut of 20,000 promotion slots for the post-July 2026 cycle has surprised teachers, who had anticipated a larger number after the budget was doubled from Ksh1 billion to Ksh2 billion for the 2026/2027 financial year.
“Teachers were warming up for 50,000 slots based on the President’s word. To hear that Ksh2 billion only covers 30,000 people is a shock to the system,” said an Assistant Treasurer under the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) after the session.
The decision has fuelled fears that existing delays in teacher promotions will continue, as educators have long decried what they describe as mass stagnation.
Members of the committee also raised concerns over regional disparities in promotions, calling on TSC to ensure fairness, transparency and timely implementation of teacher-related programmes.
In addition, the committee has directed the TSC to submit its Teachers’ Progression Guidelines for formal review to address issues raised about the promotion process.
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According to the TSC, the current funding will only cover 30,000 promotions, with the final number depending on vacancies created through retirements, resignations and other exits.
TSC has defended its merit-based scoring system, saying it prioritises long-serving and senior teachers, an approach intended to address any backlog of pending promotions.
However, younger and mid-career teachers argue that the current system slows their career progression and limits opportunities for advancement.
Promotion trends under the current administration have been fluctuating. While his year’s targeted number is lower than anticipated, it will be an increase from the 21,313 promotions in August 2025.
In December 2022, 14,034 teachers were promoted, and the number rose to 36,275 in September 2023. A drop to 25,633 was then seen in 2024.
Teachers remain on standby, awaiting clarity as Parliament reviews the progression guidelines.
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