Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is under intense scrutiny following a contentious promotion exercise that has sparked widespread dissatisfaction among veteran educators, particularly those aged above 55 and those who have long served in acting capacities without formal recognition.
The latest promotions, which were recently gazetted, have drawn sharp criticism from affected teachers and stakeholders who describe the process as opaque, biased, and demoralizing. Teachers who have acted as Principals and Headteachers for several years, some for over a decade, claim they were once again sidelined—despite having consistently attended interviews and maintained exemplary institutional performance.
Insider reports suggest that candidates who had acted in leadership roles for more than a year were supposed to receive an automatic boost of over 50% during document verification. However, the final selection list has left many questioning the credibility of the process, as several long-serving acting officers were once again overlooked.
“It defies logic,” lamented one affected teacher. “We have carried the weight of institutions, improved academic outcomes, and fulfilled all responsibilities expected of substantive heads. Yet, we continue to be bypassed for promotions.”
Adding fuel to the fire is the manner in which TSC released the promotion list—publishing only TSC numbers, full names, ID numbers, and respective counties and subcounties. Teachers argue that this stripped-down approach lacks transparency and fails to provide any justification or merit-based explanation for the selections made.
“There must be accountability,” said a teachers’ representative. “TSC should publish a comprehensive list of all acting school heads, the duration they served, and the impact they made. Promotions should be based on proven service, not just interview performance.”
Calls are now mounting for an urgent audit of the promotion process, with affected educators demanding either promotion or compensation for the years they served in acting positions. Legal redress is also being considered, as frustrations reach boiling point.
“We have colleagues who have sat for these interviews five or six times—each time with the same result,” said another teacher. “The psychological toll is immense, and the message being sent is that loyalty and hard work count for nothing.”
Meanwhile, the role of teachers' unions has come under sharp criticism, with accusations that KNUT and KUPPET have become “toothless” and disengaged. Many feel betrayed by union leaders, some of whom are now serving in Parliament, yet have remained silent on the plight of active educators.
In a direct appeal to President William Ruto and Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Julius Migos Ogamba teachers are urging the government to intervene and overhaul what they describe as “draconian and archaic” policies by the Commission.
If the growing chorus of dissent is anything to go by, TSC may soon face a full-blown revolt from a disillusioned teaching workforce—one that feels abandoned, exploited, and unfairly judged by a system it has served with dedication for decades.
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