Perceptions of Public Secondary School Teachers in Nairobi on the Influence of Performance Appraisal on Promotion Decisions by the Teachers Service Commission.

Abstract

This research is aimed at investigating the perceptions of secondary school teachers in Nairobi on the influence of performance appraisal on promotion decisions by the Teachers Service Commission [TSC]. The study was carried out in Nairobi County. The sample size was 135 public secondary teachers selected randomly from the 9 schools from each of the 9 districts of Nairobi. The data was collected by use of questionnaires administered to 15 teachers of each of the participating schools. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics and presentation of the results was done in tables, frequencies and percentages. The major findings of the study indicated that the view of the majority of the teachers is that promotion by TSC is not based on performance appraisal but the teachers agree that performance appraisal establishes a link between performance and appraisal. The teachers also feel that promotion by the TSC is not based on consideration of seniority, ethnicity, political consideration or performance appraisal. They, however agree that promotion by the TSC is based on the interview but hard work does not assure them of promotion by TSC when opportunity arises. Finally, they would prefer promotion based on performance appraisal. The research concluded that most of the teachers feel that performance appraisal does not influence promotion decisions by TSC. The researcher recommends to TSC to employ more male teachers in Nairobi for gender equity and also to recruit younger teachers of below 25 years because they are underrepresented. The TSC also should consider performance of students in national examination and any training that the teachers would have acquired when promoting teachers. The TSC and the Ministry of Education should make sure that all schools have internal performance appraisal because most teachers feel that it does not come out clearly in the teaching profession. The teachers’ perception on performance appraisal on promotion is unfavourable because they feel that the connection between the two is not clear. The TSC should look to this concern. For further research the researcher recommends that similar research should be conducted in different counties of the country and other countries to allow for wider generalization.