The recent scenario where teachers were promoted to administrative positions only to retire even before stamping their authority in their deployed schools, has served to increase the already growing concern over lack of proper succession management at the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
It is estimated that around 10,242 teachers attained compulsory retirement age on June 30, 2025 with a number of them having been promoted and deployed by TSC to schools when they were heading for half term.
Early this year, a section of young Curriculum Support Officers (CSOs) implored upon TSC to promote them to Principal Teacher Management Officers (PTMOs) while they are strong enough. This stemmed from the 2023 promotions that largely benefited their old colleagues who were only 4 months to retire.
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In the just concluded teacher promotions that sparked outrage, TSC was compelled to reduce the number of years one had stayed in one job group from three years to six months. This was contrary to the applicable Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) of 2018. The commission resolved to breach its own regulations so as to fix an endemic problem it had created over a long period of time.
Education News reported yesterday about several senior directors at the TSC headquarters who are heading home after years of service. While this eventuality is expected, TSC was yet to prepare for their replacements in good time.
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One fundamental question that keen stakeholders in education will not miss to ask themselves is; Why is TSC handling the dicey question of succession management so casually? Promoting an employee to an administrative position that is quite demanding when his/her mind is fully set for retirement is not only stressing, but confusing for the staff employee. This action also serves to demoralize the energetic and deserving cohort that are waiting in the wings to take over from them.
Succession management is an administrative and managerial process that organizations develop so as to identify and prepare employees to fill internal critical roles when positions become vacant due natural attrition or other factors.
By Naboth Murunga.
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