The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced plans to promote 25,288 teachers this year, with 189,948 applications received for these positions, highlighting a significant demand for career advancement among educators.

The vacancies are divided between primary and post-primary schools, with 16,109 poitions in primary schools and 9,179 in post-primary schools. The application process was structured in three interview levels:

• Sub-County Level: Targeted primary school teachers, with 96,640 applicants shortlisted for interviews held between January 13 and January 24, 2025.
• County Level: Focused on post-primary school teachers in grades C3 to D2, with interviews for 44,043 candidates conducted between January 27 and February 7, 2025.
• Regional Level: Reserved for principals and teachers in grades D3 to D5, with 7,224 candidates attending interviews at regional headquarters during the same period.

This overwhelming response underscores the fierce competition for limited promotion opportunities within the teaching profession. The TSC has acknowledged the high demand and is committed to addressing career progression concerns among educators.

In addition to promotions, the TSC has also announced plans to recruit 28,000 new teachers in January 2025, including 20,000 interns for junior secondary schools and 8,707 permanent positions to replace retiring or departing teachers. This recruitment aims to alleviate the shortage of science teachers and improve the teacher-to-learner ratio, ensuring effective implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

However, despite these efforts, over 350,000 trained teachers remain unemployed, highlighting the need for continued investment in the education sector to meet the growing demand for qualified educators.