TSC Promotion Requirements and Score Sheets by Cadre (2026/2027)

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) promotes teachers under its Career Progression Guidelines. In the 2026/2027 promotion round, TSC published 30 promotion adverts, each with its own eligibility requirements and a score sheet marked out of 100. This guide puts them together in one place, from Chief Principal down to Senior Teacher II, so you can see exactly what your next grade asks of you.

Every cadre below shows its grade and T-Scale, the eligibility requirements, and the score sheet TSC uses to rank applicants. To understand how each scoring area works, including length of stay, age and TPAD rating, read How TSC Scores Teachers for Promotion in 2026/2027. Applications are made online through the TSC portal, and our guide to the TSC online portal explains how to log in.

TSC states the requirements in each advert, so check the wording in the latest advert on the official TSC website before you apply.

## Cadres at a glance

## Chief Principal

### Chief Principal (Regular)

• Grade / T-Scale: D4–D5 / T-Scale 15
• Category: Regular

#### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Senior Principal T-Scale 14 (D4) for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirements deemed necessary by the Commission.

#### Score sheet (out of 100)

Note: Length of Stay carries the heaviest weight (45 marks) — teachers who have served 8 years and above in the D4 grade score the maximum here.

### Chief Principal (TTC)

• Grade / T-Scale: D4–D5 / T-Scale 15
• Category: Teachers Training College (TTC)

#### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Senior Principal T-Scale 14 (D4) for a minimum period of three (3) years in a Teachers Training College.
• Have satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirements deemed necessary by the Commission.

#### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Senior Principal

### Senior Principal (Regular)

• Grade / T-Scale: D3–D4 / T-Scale 14
• Category: Regular

#### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Principal or Deputy Principal I, T-Scale 13 (D3) for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

#### Score sheet (out of 100)

### Senior Principal (TTC)

• Grade / T-Scale: D3–D4 / T-Scale 14
• Category: Teachers Training College (TTC)

#### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Principal or Deputy Principal I, T-Scale 13 (D3) for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

#### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Deputy Principal I

### Deputy Principal I (Regular)

• Grade / T-Scale: D2–D3 / T-Scale 13
• Category: Regular

#### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Deputy Principal II or Senior Master I, T-Scale 12 (D2) for a minimum period of six months.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

Note the unusually short minimum tenure: unlike most grades requiring 3 years, Deputy Principal I only requires six months in the Deputy Principal II/Senior Master I grade.

#### Score sheet (out of 100)

Note: This advert's scoring form also records whether the applicant has previously acted as a Principal, and the duration of that acting role — this directly feeds the Administrative Responsibility marks.

### Deputy Principal I (TTC)

• Grade / T-Scale: D2–D3 / T-Scale 13
• Category: Teachers Training College (TTC)

#### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Deputy Principal II or Senior Master I, T-Scale 12 (D2) for a minimum period of six months.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

#### Score sheet (out of 100)

### Deputy Principal I (SNE)

• Grade / T-Scale: D2–D3 / T-Scale 13
• Category: Special Needs Education (SNE)

#### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Deputy Principal II or Senior Master I, T-Scale 12 (D2) for a minimum period of six months.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

#### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Deputy Principal II

• Grade / T-Scale: D1–D2 / T-Scale 12
• Category: Regular

### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Deputy Principal III or Senior Master II, T-Scale 11 (D1) for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

Special note (from the advertisement): "All teachers currently performing the duties of a Principal are encouraged to apply."

### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Senior Lecturer I

• Grade / T-Scale: D1–D2 / T-Scale 12
• Category: Teachers Training College (TTC)

### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Deputy Principal III or Senior Lecturer II, T-Scale 11 (D1) for a minimum period of three (3) years in a Teachers Training College.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Senior Master I

• Grade / T-Scale: D1–D2 / T-Scale 12
• Category: Regular

### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Deputy Principal III or Senior Master II, T-Scale 11 (D1) for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

Special note (from the advertisement): "All teachers currently performing the duties of a Principal are encouraged to apply."

### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Curriculum Support Officer I

### Curriculum Support Officer I (Regular)

• Grade / T-Scale: D1–D2 / T-Scale 11
• Category: Regular

#### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Curriculum Support Officer II, T-Scale 11 (D1), for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

#### Score sheet (out of 100)

CSO scoring is structured differently: unlike school-leadership grades, CSO I has no TSC/KNEC/KICD contribution line, no Performance Management (TPAD) line, and no Co-curricular Activities line. Instead, Age (45 marks) and Length of Stay (40 marks) dominate the score — together worth 85 of the 100 marks.

### Curriculum Support Officer I (SNE)

• Grade / T-Scale: D1–D2 / T-Scale 11
• Category: Special Needs Education (SNE)

#### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Curriculum Support Officer II, T-Scale 11 (D1), for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

#### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Deputy Principal III

### Deputy Principal III (Regular)

• Grade / T-Scale: C5–D1 / T-Scale 11
• Category: Regular

#### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Senior Master III, T-Scale 10 (C5), for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

#### Score sheet (out of 100)

### Deputy Principal III (SNE)

• Grade / T-Scale: C5–D1 / T-Scale 11
• Category: Special Needs Education (SNE)

#### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Senior Master III, T-Scale 10 (C5), for a minimum period of three (3) years in a Special Needs institution.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

#### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Senior Headteacher

### Senior Headteacher (Regular)

• Grade / T-Scale: C5–D1 / T-Scale 11
• Category: Regular (Primary School Leadership)

#### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher I, T-Scale 10 (C5), for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers. iv. Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

#### Score sheet (out of 100)

Note: Senior Headteacher follows the same scoring structure as Chief Principal and Senior Principal (Family A), rather than the Deputy Principal-style structure — reflecting its status as the head of a primary institution.

### Senior Headteacher (SNE)

• Grade / T-Scale: C5–D1 / T-Scale 11
• Category: Special Needs Education (SNE)

#### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Headteacher (SNE) or Deputy Headteacher I (SNE), T-Scale 10 (C5), for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

#### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Senior Lecturer II

• Grade / T-Scale: C5–D1 / T-Scale 11
• Category: Teachers Training College (TTC)

### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Senior Lecturer III, T-Scale 10 (C5), for a minimum period of three (3) years in a Teachers Training College.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Senior Master II

• Grade / T-Scale: C5–D1 / T-Scale 11
• Category: Regular

### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Senior Master III, T-Scale 10 (C5), for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers. iv. Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Curriculum Support Officer II

• Grade / T-Scale: C4–C5 / T-Scale 11
• Category: Regular & SNE (combined advert)

### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Senior Master IV (C4) or Deputy Head Teacher II (C4), T-Scale 10, for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

### Score sheet (out of 100)

Note: Unlike CSO I, this grade does include a Performance Management (TPAD) score — and at 20 marks, it carries double the weight given to TPAD in most other grades.

## Deputy Headteacher I

### Deputy Headteacher I (Regular)

• Grade / T-Scale: C4–C5 / T-Scale 10
• Category: Regular

#### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Deputy Head Teacher II, T-Scale 9 (C4), for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

#### Score sheet (out of 100)

### Deputy Headteacher I (SNE)

• Grade / T-Scale: C4–C5 / T-Scale 10
• Category: Special Needs Education (SNE)

#### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Deputy Head Teacher II, T-Scale 9 (C4), for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

#### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Senior Lecturer III

• Grade / T-Scale: C4–C5 / T-Scale 10
• Category: Teachers Training College (TTC)

### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as a Lecturer IV, T-Scale 9 (C4), for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Senior Master III

• Grade / T-Scale: C4–C5 / T-Scale 10
• Category: Regular

### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Senior Master IV, T-Scale 9 (C4), for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Deputy Headteacher II

### Deputy Headteacher II (Regular)

• Grade / T-Scale: C3–C4 / T-Scale 9
• Category: Regular

#### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Senior Teacher I, T-Scale 8 (C3), for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

#### Score sheet (out of 100)

### Deputy Headteacher II (SNE)

• Grade / T-Scale: C3–C4 / T-Scale 9
• Category: Special Needs Education (SNE)

#### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Senior Teacher I SNE, T-Scale 8 (C3), for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

#### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Senior Lecturer IV

• Grade / T-Scale: C3–C4 / T-Scale 9
• Category: Teachers Training College (TTC)

### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as a Lecturer I, T-Scale 8 (C3), for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Senior Master IV

• Grade / T-Scale: C3–C4 / T-Scale 9
• Category: Regular & SNE (combined advert)

### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as a Secondary Teacher I, T-Scale 8 (C3), for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Secondary Teacher I (Diploma)

• Grade / T-Scale: C2–C3 / T-Scale 8
• Category: Regular — Diploma holders

### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Secondary Teacher II, T-Scale 7 (C2) (Diploma), for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

### Score sheet (out of 100)

Note: This is the promotion route specifically for teachers who hold a Diploma qualification, distinguishing it from the Bachelor's-degree Secondary Teacher I track.

## Senior Teacher I

• Grade / T-Scale: C2–C3 / T-Scale 8
• Category: Regular & SNE (combined advert)

### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Senior Teacher II, T-Scale 7 (C2), for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Senior Teacher II

• Grade / T-Scale: C1–C2 / T-Scale 7
• Category: Regular & SNE (combined advert)

### Eligibility requirements

• Have served as Primary Teacher I, T-Scale 6 (C1), for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• Have obtained a satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process.
• Have demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and provide professional support to other teachers.
• Meet any other requirement deemed necessary by the Commission.

### Score sheet (out of 100)

## Before you apply

• Confirm that you meet the minimum time served in your current grade, as stated for your cadre above.
• Check your TPAD rating, because it carries marks on every score sheet. Our TPAD2 complete guide shows how to complete your appraisal.
• Keep your academic and professional certificates ready for verification at the interview.
• Read the latest advert on the official TSC website for current deadlines and instructions.

Related reading:

• TSC Salary in Kenya: Salary Scale, Job Groups and Allowances (2026)