The advertised Teachers Service Commission (TSC) vacancies targeting about 24,000 interns will favour those with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) qualifications, according to the grading system.

The TSC announced the positions to fill vacancies in Junior School and support the implementation of the Competency-Based Education.

The commission has also developed guidelines for the promotion of teachers for the 2025/26 financial year.

Acting TSC Chief Executive Eveleen Mitei said teachers trained by the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa, the Teacher Induction, Mentorship and Coaching, the Kenya National Examinations Council and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development panellists will have an added advantage.

In promoting teachers, Ms Mitei said the commission is bound by Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution, which outline the values and principles of governance.

In an August 11 circular, Ms Mitei urged regional, county and sub-county education directors to uphold these constitutional provisions.

She said the guidelines incorporate constitutional principles of transparency, accountability, fair competition and merit.

They align with the Career Progression Guidelines for Teachers (2018), Curriculum Support Officers (2019), the Code of Regulations for Teachers (2015) and the Policy on Appointment and Deployment of Institutional Administrators (2017).

The guidelines aim to ensure equity, fairness, transparency and non-discrimination in teacher promotions, recognise and reward merit, performance and experience and incorporate affirmative action.

Ms Mitei added that identification for promotion would depend on the budget of the commission, attrition rates and the existence of vacancies.

To be eligible for promotion, a teacher must have served at least three years in the current grade.

TSC may refuse to consider teachers for promotion if they have not completed two years after being found guilty for a disciplinary matter or a year since getting an administrative warning.

The scoring for a chief principal (Grade D5/T-Scale 15) is five points for a doctorate, four for a master’s degree and three for a bachelor’s.

County selection panels will oversee interviews for post-primary school teachers, including deputy principals.

Regional selection panels will be responsible for interviews of secondary and teacher training college principals as well as curriculum support officers .

“The commission shall apply a standardised scoring guide to ensure a fair, transparent and merit-based evaluation of shortlisted candidates. The parameters include academic qualifications, acting capacity, length of stay in one grade and the teacher performance appraisal development,” the guidelines read.

Promotions will also be based on merit while ensuring gender representation, inclusion of persons with disabilities and regional diversity.

“In compliance with the Constitution, not more than two-thirds of teachers promoted shall be of the same gender,” Ms Mitei said.

Successful candidates will be announced on the TSC website. Heads and deputy heads will be posted to schools with available vacancies. Offers must be accepted within 30 days.

TSC will also establish a monitoring and evaluation mechanism to ensure integrity, consistency and compliance in the promotions.