TSC Announces Major Promotion Plan for Over 30,000 Teachers by 2026 Amid Pressure Over Delays
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has unveiled plans to promote more than 30,000 teachers before the end of 2026 in a move expected to ease mounting frustrations over career stagnation and delayed advancement within the education sector.
The announcement was made by TSC Acting Chief Executive Officer Eveleen Mitei during a session with the National Assembly Education Committee at Bunge Towers on Wednesday, May 13, where lawmakers pressed the Commission over growing complaints from teachers across the country.
According to Mitei, the promotions will largely depend on the number of teachers leaving service through retirement, resignation, or natural attrition, as the Commission seeks to create room within its staffing structure.
She told the committee that the exercise will begin once the National Treasury releases an estimated Ksh2 billion allocation earmarked for teacher promotions in the 2026/2027 Financial Year.
“The Commission is planning to promote over 30,000 teachers by the end of 2026, subject to availability of funds and vacancies arising from exits within the service,” Mitei told MPs during the meeting.
The Education Committee, chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, urged the TSC to fast-track the promotion process, warning that prolonged delays had demoralised many teachers and triggered concerns over alleged regional inequalities in promotions.
Lawmakers further demanded transparency and fairness in the implementation of teacher management programmes, saying educators across different counties had repeatedly raised complaints over discrimination and lack of clarity in promotion criteria.
The revelations come at a time when pressure has continued to pile on the Commission over the welfare of teachers, especially those serving under internship arrangements.
During the same session, Mitei confirmed that 20,000 intern teachers out of the current 44,000 serving nationwide will be absorbed into permanent and pensionable terms in the 2026/2027 Financial Year.
However, she clarified that the interns must first complete the mandatory two-year internship programme before confirmation into permanent employment.
“The internship cycle is expected to conclude in January 2027, after which eligible teachers will be transitioned into permanent and pensionable terms,” she explained.
Mitei also disclosed that the Commission is currently unable to recruit additional teachers on permanent terms while thousands of intern teachers are still awaiting confirmation.
The committee hearing also exposed wider concerns within the education sector, including delays in compensation under the Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA) and allegations that some school principals were unlawfully withholding teachers’ academic certificates.
Responding to the concerns, Mitei admitted that although TSC had requested funding for WIBA compensation in its budget estimates, the allocation was not approved by the Treasury.
She nevertheless defended the Commission’s recent recruitment record, revealing that more than 100,000 teachers have been employed over the last three years following increased government support under President William Ruto’s administration.
The latest announcement is expected to offer hope to thousands of teachers who have long complained about stalled career progression, particularly those who have remained in the same job groups for years despite acquiring higher qualifications and additional experience.
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