How TSC will score teachers for promotions in 2026/27

The Teachers Service Commission will score teachers seeking promotion based on academic qualifications, acting experience, years served in the current grade, performance appraisal results, age, professional assignments, and participation in co-curricular activities.

However, the number of marks allocated to each factor will vary depending on the advertised grade.

TSC outlined the criteria in Circular No. 13/2026, dated Friday, July 24, 2026, which introduced promotion guidelines for the 2026/27 financial year.

“The Commission shall apply a standardized scoring guide to ensure a fair, transparent and merit-based evaluation of all shortlisted candidates,” TSC said in the statement.

The guidelines will remain valid until June 30, 2027, and will apply to teachers employed by the commission.

Experience and performance carry more marks

For Chief Principal and Senior Principal positions in grades D5 and D4, time served in the current grade will attract up to 45 marks.

Acting TSC CEO Eveleen Mitei.

Teachers who have remained in the same grade for eight years or more will receive the full 45 marks. Those with three years in the grade will receive 20 marks.

Academic qualifications will attract up to five marks, while professional assignments involving KNEC, KICD, CBC, CEMASTEA and TSC programmes will carry another five marks.

Average Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development scores for the previous three years will attract up to 10 marks. Teachers with a TPAD score of 81 per cent and above will receive all 10 marks.

Age will account for up to 30 marks in senior positions. Teachers aged 57 and above will receive the highest score.

For deputy principals, deputy headteachers, senior masters and other administrative positions, acting experience and time spent in the current grade will jointly attract up to 50 or 55 marks.

“Teachers currently serving in acting or performing roles, including head of institution, deputy head, senior master or senior teacher, shall be awarded additional marks,” TSC stated.

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Eligibility, interviews and final selection

Teachers must have served for at least three years in their current grade before applying for promotion.

Re-employed teachers must also complete three years of continuous service.

Applications will be submitted through the Teachers Online Services platform within 14 days of an advertisement. TSC said manual submissions would not be accepted.

Candidates will be shortlisted at a ratio of three applicants for every available position. Those selected for interviews will receive at least seven days’ notice.

Primary school teachers will be interviewed at the sub-county level, while post-primary teachers will face county panels.

Principals, teacher training college administrators and curriculum support officers will be interviewed at the regional level.

Final selection will be based on interview scores, gender representation, disability inclusion and regional diversity.

TSC also warned teachers against paying brokers, saying the promotion process is free and canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

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