The TSC has made major moves to close the leadership gap in schools following the mass retirement of headteachers on June 30th. The TSC is seeking from County Directors, an Excel template details of the deputy headteachers in both primary and secondary schools with a minimum service of eight years. This move is aimed at ensuring that there are experienced deputies ready to step up to the position of Heads of Institutions.
Background and Context
The Kenyan education sector underwent a radical revolution following the retirement of 400,000 teachers in the month of June. Most of them were headteachers. As a result of this mass retirement, quite a number of schools are without permanent heads and are thus seeking qualified candidates to fill this significant vacancy. For example, as recently as December 2023, 2,400 headteachers retired whose positions are yet to be filled.
TSC’s Strategic Response
To cover these vacancies, the TSC has lined up a promotion of 12,000 teachers in the 2024-2025 financial year. In the similar move, 9,000 primary school teachers and 3,000 secondary school teachers will be promoted.-CSOs have been requested to provide more data on C4 deputy headteachers in primary so that they could be promoted to acting headteacher positions in vacant schools.
Structures and Advertisements for Promotion
In September last year, the TSC advertised 35,505 promotion vacancies for the following:
- 1,049 promotions of primary deputies in grade C4 to headteacher Grade C5 in regular schools.
- 30 promotions of deputies in special primary schools to headteacher.
- 541 deputy principals promoted from job group D2 to D3 as principals.
Recent Promotions and Future Plans
Last month, TSC chief executive Dr. Nancy Macharia announced the promotion of 36,504 teachers in the 2023-2024 financial year. This takes the total number promoted in the last five years to 71,212. Dr. Macharia further indicated that the government has set aside KSh 1 billion for the promotion of more teachers in the 2024/2025 financial year.
Conclusion
The proactive approach the TSC takes in addressing the leadership void in Kenyan schools is quite positive for maintaining stability and continuity in the education system. According to the TSC, promoting experienced deputy headteachers and principals to act as Heads of Institutions ensures that schools will continue running and students will receive quality education all around the country.
More information concerning the promotion criteria and how to apply is obtainable on the TSC website and respective county offices, and thus teachers/relevant stakeholders are invited to visit for more information.