The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers has intensified pressure on the Teachers Service Commission, demanding the immediate advertisement of promotion vacancies for over 135,000 teachers who have remained in the same job groups for years without career progression.
According to KUPPET officials, thousands of teachers across the country are frustrated after enduring long periods of stagnation despite years of service, higher academic qualifications, and increased responsibilities in schools.The union argues that delayed promotions have negatively affected teacher morale, motivation, and productivity in learning institutions.Teachers Stuck in the Same Job GroupsKUPPET revealed that many teachers have served in the same grades for more than a decade, with some reportedly retiring before receiving even a single promotion.The union says the situation has created widespread dissatisfaction among teachers, especially those in lower cadres who continue to shoulder heavy workloads without corresponding career advancement.
Teachers in secondary schools and junior schools have particularly raised concerns over limited promotion opportunities, despite the growing demand for experienced educators in the education sector.
Union Wants
Immediate Action by TSC
KUPPET is now urging the TSC to urgently advertise promotion slots and ensure that the process is transparent, fair, and merit-based.The union insists that career progression is a constitutional and professional right that should not be delayed indefinitely.
Among the key demands by the union are:
Immediate advertisement of promotion vacancies
Fair distribution of promotion opportunities across counties
Consideration of years served in one grade
Recognition of higher academic qualifications
Elimination of favoritism and discrimination during promotions
KUPPET leaders warned that continued delays could trigger unrest among teachers who feel neglected by the employer.Teachers Call for Fairness
Many teachers have welcomed the union’s push, saying stagnation has affected their financial growth and professional development.Some educators argue that while workloads continue increasing due to curriculum reforms and staffing shortages, promotions have remained extremely limited.Others say they have invested heavily in further education by pursuing diploma, degree, and master’s qualifications, yet their efforts have not translated into career growth.
Pressure Mounts on TSC
The pressure comes at a time when the Teachers Service Commission is facing increasing scrutiny over teacher welfare, staffing shortages, and delayed promotions.Education stakeholders now expect the commission to provide a clear roadmap on how the 135,000 affected teachers will be considered for advancement in the coming months.Teachers across the country are now waiting to see whether the commission will respond to the union’s demands and finally open up promotion opportunities that many have waited years to receive.