Melly Puts TSC on the Spot Over Stalled Promotions and Intern Confirmation
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The long-awaited path to job security for thousands of Kenyan educators has become clearer following a high-stakes meeting at Bunge Towers.
Appearing before the National Assemblyโs Departmental Committee on Education, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) confirmed that 20,000 intern teachers are slated for transition to Permanent and Pensionable (P&P) terms within the 2026/27 Financial Year.
The session, chaired by Hon. Julius Melly, saw TSC officialsโled by Acting CEO Ms. Eveleen Miteiโgrilled on the Commissionโs budget estimates, teacher welfare, and the slow pace of career advancement.
The Road to Confirmation: January 2027
Of the 44,000 teachers currently serving under the internship program, the first cohort of 20,000 is expected to be absorbed into the permanent workforce by January 2027.
TSC officials clarified that these teachers must first complete their mandatory two-year service period.
Crucially, the Commission signaled a โfreezeโ on fresh permanent recruitment, stating they cannot proceed with new P&P hiring while the current pool of interns awaits their turn for confirmation.
Promotions: A SH 2 Billion Boost
Teacher stagnation has been a persistent thorn in the side of the profession, but relief may be on the horizon.
The Committee revealed that sh 2 billion has been allocated specifically toward teacher promotions.
- The Target: Approximately 30,000 teachers are targeted for promotion this year.
- The Criteria: Promotion slots will largely depend on vacancies created by those exiting the service.
- The Directive: Chairperson Melly urged the Commission to hasten this process, citing the need to restore morale among long-serving educators.
Legislative Concerns: WIBA and Certificate Withholding
The meeting wasnโt all good news. A major red flag was raised regarding the Work Injury Benefit Act (WIBA).
TSC admitted that while they had requested funds to compensate teachers injured in the line of duty, the budget allocation remained unfunded, leaving many vulnerable staff without a safety net.
Legislators also took the Commission to task over reports of principals reportedly โholding ontoโ teachersโ academic certificates, a practice the Committee wants stopped immediately to allow teachers to pursue further opportunities.
Fairness and the New Progression Guidelines
Addressing the โelephant in the roomโโregional disparitiesโthe Committee urged the TSC to ensure that promotions and recruitment are distributed fairly across all counties.
In a significant move toward policy reform, Hon. Melly directed the TSC to provide the Committee with the Teachersโ Progression Guidelines for a thorough review.
The goal is to ensure the guidelines are realistic, fair, and address the actual needs of teachers rather than acting as a barrier to advancement.
The Bottom Line
With over 100,000 teachers recruited in the last three years, the scale of the TSCโs workforce is unprecedented.
However, as Ms. Mitei and her team noted, the focus now shifts from quantity to qualityโensuring that those already in the system are promoted fairly, compensated for injuries, and given the permanent status they have earned through years of internship service.
โWe must hasten the promotion process. Teachers need to see that their hard work and dedication lead to tangible career growth,โ โ Hon. Julius Melly, Chairperson.