TSC latest Interview areas, questions and new marking scheme/ Score sheet for Principals, Heads, Deputies, Senior Masters and teachers’ promotions; TSC Guidelines

May 31, 2025 Hillary Kangwana

For teachers shortlisted to attend interviews by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), it is important to note that the Commission has developed a new score sheet and interview areas. Before embarking for your trip to the interview venue, it is important that you go through these guidelines in order to increase your chances of answering the interview questions as expected. Apart from TSC matters and general trends it is important that you familiarize yourself with the Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development, TPAD, areas. Also, be frank when answering the questions shot at you by the panelists.

INTERVIEW AREAS

The Commission has developed a new interview score sheet for promotions. The following areas are tested and a candidate must score 50% and above in order to be deployed.

The interview areas and maximum marks to be awarded:

A). ADMINISTRATIVE ABILITIES IN THE CURRENT ASSIGNMENT

i). Achievements- 10 marks
ii). Co-curricular achievements- 8 marks
iii). Participation in Education affairs- 5 marks
iv). Knowledge on the formation, members and functions of BOG and
PTA- 5 marks
v)Role of the sponsor- 2 marks
SUB-TOTAL: 30 marks

B). KNOWLEDGE OF EDUCATION ISSUES ESPECIALLY TRENDS IN THE POST INDEPENDENCE PERIOD

i). Knowledge of all Education Commissions- 3
ii). Purpose for formation of such Commissions or working parties- 3 marks
iii). Their respective recommendations- 3 marks
iv). Adoptions/implementation- 3 marks
SUB-TOTAL: 12 marks

C). KNOWLEDGE OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION

I). Curriculum Development
i). Structure of Kenya Institute of Education- 3 marks
ii). Function of Kenya Institute of Education- 3 marks
iii). Current trends in the curriculum- 5 marks

II). Implementation
i). Structure and function of Teachers Service Commission- 5 marks
ii). Functions and structure of MOEST – Inspection and Directorate: 4 marks

III). Evaluation
i). Membership of Kenya National Examination Council- 3 marks
ii). Relationship between TSC, MoE/MoST, KNEC and KIE- 5 marks
SUB TOTAL: 28 marks

D). LEGAL FRAME WORK IN EDUCATION

i). Teachers Service Commission- 1 mark
ii). Education Act- 1 mark
ii). Kenya National Examination Council Act- 1 mark
iii). Trade and Dispute Act- 1 mark
iv). TSC Code of Regulations for teachers- 1 mark
v). Schemes of Service for teachers- 1 mark
vi). A Manual for Heads of Secondary Schools in Kenya- 1 mark
SUB-TOTAL: 7

E). OTHER EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS

i). Kenya Institute of Education- 2 marks
ii). Jomo Kenyatta Foundation- 2 marks
iii). Kenya Literature Bureau- 2 marks
iv). Kenya Education Staff Institute- 2 marks
SUB-TOTAL: 8

F). FUNCTIONS OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

i). Knowledge of the three arms of Government and their interrelationship- 3 marks
ii). Legislature; Its function, role of speaker, clerk and sergeant-at-arms- 3 marks
iii). Executive; Functions, role of the Permanent Secretaries vis-à-vis Ministers- 3 marks
iv). Judiciary; Functions, Structure, Attorney General, Chief justice etc.- 3 marks
SUB TOTAL 12

G). General Knowledge 3

GRAND TOTAL: 100%

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR ADMINISTRATIVE POSTS

To ascend to any of the administrative position in school, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has set a wide array of conditions that must be met by the teachers. These conditions and criteria for deployment are contained in the Career Progression Guideline for teachers of 2018 and the Policy on Appointment and Deployment of Institutional Administrators of 2017. The be appointed to any of the administrative positions, a teacher who meets the set qualifications applies, is shortlisted, attends an interview and successful ones are competitively appointed and deployed; accordingly.

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Below is an outline of the various administrative positions for various cadres of schools:

A). PRINCIPALS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS

The secondary schools have been stratified and principals heading the various categories are placed in different grades, thus;
i). Principals of Sub- County and All Day schools: To be appointed so as to head this category of schools, one must have served as a Deputy Principal (Grade D2) for atleast 3 years. These schools are headed by a Principal having Grade 3 (T- Scale 13).
ii). County Schools with with over 540 students: These schools are headed by Senior Principals, Grade D4 (T- Scale 14). To be appointed to this grade, a teacher must have served as a Principal at Grade D3 for a minimum period of three (3) years.
iii). National and Extra County Schools with over 1000 students: Headed by a Chief Principal of Grade D5 (T- Scale 15). To be appointed to this grade, one must first serve for atleast 3 years at a Senior Principal; Grade D4.

B). DEPUTY PRINCIPALS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

i). Sub- County and All Day schools: Deputy Principal III of Grade D1 (T- Scale 11). To ascend to this position you must first serve as a Senior Master at Grade C5 for a minimum period of three (3) years.
ii). County Schools with with over 540 students: Deputy Principal II of Grade D2 (T- Scale 12). To be appointed to this grade one must have served as a Deputy Principal at D1 for atleast three (3) years.
iii). National and Extra County Schools with over 1000 students: Deputy Principal I; Grade D3 (T- Scale 13). To be promoted to this grade one must first serve as a Deputy Principal at D2 for atleast three (3) years.

C). SENIOR MASTERS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

i). Sub- County and All Day schools: Senior Master III of Grade C5 (T- Scale 10). To be promoted to this grade one must serve as a teacher at Grade C4 for over three (3) years.
ii). County Schools with with over 540 students: Senior Master II with Grade D1 (T- Scale 11). To ascend to this position, a teacher must have served as a Senior Master III of Grade C5 (T- Scale 10) for a minimum period of three years.
iii). National and Extra County Schools with over 1000 students: Senior Master I with a qualification of Grade D2 (T- Scale 12). To ascend to this position, a teacher must have served as a Senior Master II with Grade D1 (T- Scale 11) for a minimum period of three years.

D). HEAD TEACHERS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

i). Primary schools with enrollment of below 1000 learners: Head Teacher with Grade C5 (T- Scale 10). To be appointed to this grade a teacher must have served as a Deputy Head Teacher at Grade C4 for atleast three (3) years.
ii). Primary schools with enrollment of over 1000 learners: Senior Head Teacher with Grade D1 (T- Scale 11). To be appointed to this grade a teacher must have served as a Head Teacher at Grade C5 for atleast three (3) years.

E). DEPUTY HEAD TEACHERS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

i). Primary schools with enrollment of below 1000 learners: Deputy Head Teacher II Grade C4 (T- Scale 9). Experience required: Served as Senior Teacher at Grade C3 for atleast 3 Years.
ii). Primary schools with enrollment of over 1000 learners: Deputy Head Teacher I at Grade C5 (T- Scale 10). Required experience: Served as Deputy Head Teacher at Grade C4 for atleast three (3) years.

F). SENIOR TEACHER- PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

i). Primary schools with enrollment of below 1000 learners: Senior Teacher II with Grade C2. Qualification: Served as a Primary School Teacher I at Grade C1 for atleast three (3) years.
II). Primary schools with enrollment of over 1000 learners: Senior Teacher I with Grade C3. Required experience: Served as Senior Teacher II at Grade C2 for a minimum period of three (3) years.

TSC latest Interview areas, questions and new marking scheme/ Score sheet for Principals, Heads, Deputies, Senior Masters and teachers’ promotions; TSC Guidelines

INTERVIEW AREAS

A). ADMINISTRATIVE ABILITIES IN THE CURRENT ASSIGNMENT

B). KNOWLEDGE OF EDUCATION ISSUES ESPECIALLY TRENDS IN THE POST INDEPENDENCE PERIOD