The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has dismissed as fake a letter circulating on social media claiming that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) rejected its proposed Career Progression Guidelines for teachers.
The commission clarified that the document is forged and urged the public to disregard it.
The clarification comes as TSC continues reviewing the proposed reforms following nationwide stakeholder consultations aimed at modernising teacher career progression and addressing long-standing promotion challenges.
TSC Rejects Viral Letter on Career Progression Guidelines
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 7, the TSC said the letter purportedly signed by SRC Chairperson Sammy Chepkwony was not authentic.
The forged document claimed SRC had rejected the proposed Career Progression Guidelines because they would increase the public wage bill and threaten fiscal sustainability.
It further alleged that TSC had been instructed to retain the existing framework until revised proposals received approval.
The commission dismissed the claims and advised teachers and the public to rely only on official communication channels for accurate information.
TSC's Position
| Claim in Viral Letter | TSC Response |
|---|---|
| SRC rejected the proposed guidelines | False |
| Existing guidelines must remain | False |
| Letter signed by SRC Chairperson | Forged |
Review Process Continues
Stakeholder Consultations
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Review of Draft Guidelines
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Stakeholder Feedback
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Final Career Progression Framework
The commission confirmed that the review process remains on course following consultations conducted in June.
Proposed Reforms Aim to Speed Up Teacher Promotions
TSC says the revised Career Progression Guidelines are intended to replace the framework introduced in 2016.
The review seeks to align teacher career development with changing professional demands, technological advancements, and the evolving needs of Kenya's education sector.
Feedback from teachers, curriculum support officers, TSC officials, and other education stakeholders will inform the final document.
One of the key proposals is the introduction of a three-year promotion cycle, allowing eligible teachers to progress based on competence and performance rather than waiting decades for advancement.
Key Proposed Changes
| Proposal | Expected Impact |
|---|---|
| Three-year promotion cycle | Faster career progression |
| Six-level grading structure | Simpler promotion framework |
| Automatic promotion for eligible lower grades | Reduced career stagnation |
| Separate career pathways | Specialized professional growth |
The draft framework also proposes replacing the current grading system, which ranges from B5 (Primary Teacher II) to D5 (Chief Principal), with a simplified six-level structure.
TSC says promotions would consider professional competence, experience, academic qualifications, and performance.
The reforms also introduce separate career pathways for classroom teachers, school administrators, and curriculum support officers.
The review comes amid growing calls for faster promotions, with the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) advocating the promotion of approximately 135,000 teachers.
If adopted, the proposed framework is expected to reduce career stagnation by enabling qualified teachers to advance to senior positions within 16 to 18 years, significantly shorter than the lengthy promotion timelines experienced under the current system.
