TSC requires Sh35.5 billion to promote more than 178,000 teachers

An estimated 179,000 teachers in primary and secondary schools have stagnated in the same job group due to underfunding.

While appearing before the National Assembly Education Committee - chaired by Kasipul MP Eve Obara - Teachers Service Commission (TSC) CEO, Dr. Nancy Macharia, painted a grim picture of a stark reality where the teachers’ career progression is stifled.

According to her, TSC needs Sh3 billion to promote 178,871 teachers who have remained in the same job groups for years despite qualifying for advancement.

“Lack of sufficient budgetary provision has significantly impeded the career growth of teachers. This stagnation has triggered complaints from unions, lowered morale, and contributed to increased attrition within the profession,” Dr. Macharia told lawmakers.

The remarks coincide with the growing disquiet among teachers who accuse TSC of bias in promotions, further blaming the commission’s quota system for unfairly locking out deserving candidates.

Macharia, while defending the commission from accusations of favoritism, explained that TSC had only been allocated Sh2 billion for teacher promotions over the past two financial years — far below the Sh3.5 billion needed to clear the backlog.

Even so, TSC managed to promote 151,611 teachers during that period — 75,090 through common cadre promotions and 76,521 through competitive processes.

In the current financial year, 25,252 teachers have already been promoted following interviews earlier in the year. However, the CEO admitted that 381 advertised positions remain unfilled despite overwhelming interest.

In November last year, TSC received 5,690 applications, and another 19,943 in December.

“While we had requested Sh2 billion from the National Treasury for this year’s promotions, only Sh1 billion was allocated,” Macharia noted.

Many teachers feel that the quota system, which allocates promotion slots based on region or category, ends up penalizing hardworking individuals, particularly in densely populated areas with fierce competition.

In rural areas, the problem is compounded by logistical issues — interviews may not be conducted on time, and some schools remain understaffed as experienced teachers leave in frustration.

While TSC has made strides to promote thousands despite limited funds, the sheer scale of the backlog remains daunting. Without immediate intervention and sustained budgetary support, thousands more will remain trapped in a cycle of frustration and fatigue.

“Our teachers are the backbone of this nation’s future. We must do right by them — not just with words, but with resources and action,” Obara emphasized.