The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has revamped its promotion interview scoring system to combat teacher stagnation and ensure that advancements are based on merit.
This new scoring framework evaluates candidates on various criteria, including tenure in their current roles, performance appraisal ratings, age, and participation in extracurricular activities like sports, drama, and music. It also takes into account the availability of positions, gender representation in school leadership, affirmative action for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and progressive promotions in arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) and challenging-to-staff regions.
According to TSC’s submission to the National Assembly Education Committee, which is reviewing the promotion criteria amid public concern, teachers who have held acting roles or taken on administrative responsibilities—such as principal, headteacher, deputy principal, and deputy headteacher—are awarded marks for their contributions. The length of time spent in these acting positions plays a crucial role in scoring, with longer tenures earning more points to reflect the responsibilities undertaken.
Moreover, teachers who have remained in the same job grade for extended periods are given higher scores compared to those who have been in their roles for shorter durations, recognizing their loyalty and commitment.
The TSC also emphasizes that teachers who excel in their performance appraisals (TPAD) will achieve higher overall scores in the promotion process, ensuring that consistent high achievers receive the recognition they deserve.
Age is another factor in the scoring system, with older teachers receiving higher marks. For example, those aged 55 and above score more than those aged 50 to 54, who in turn score higher than their 45 to 49-year-old peers. This tiered scoring system values the experience and wisdom that comes with age.
Additionally, the TSC assesses teachers’ involvement in co-curricular activities, rewarding those who have led students to international competitions in sports, drama, or music with higher scores than those whose students have only achieved success at the national level.
Promotion opportunities are allocated based on availability across different levels, with a focus on appointing female teachers as heads of girls’ schools to serve as role models while maintaining gender balance in co-educational institutions.
For PWDs, the TSC has introduced a policy to ensure at least five percent representation in each promotion cycle, aligning with national frameworks for disability inclusion. In the 2024/2025 financial year, the TSC promoted 1,275 PWD teachers, representing 5.049 percent of the total promotions.
In ASAL and hard-to-staff areas, the TSC is implementing progressive promotions in accordance with the provisions of the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).