Who is a senior master in TSC?
A Senior Master in the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is a pivotal role in secondary schools, signifying a teacher’s entry into the administrative cadre — a promotion from Secondary Teacher I.
The position is categorized into Senior Master I, II, III, and IV, corresponding to T-Scale 12, 11, 10, and 9 respectively, denoted as TSC grade D2, D1, C5, and C4.
This blog post provides a concise overview of the requirements for promotion, duties, and salaries associated with the Senior Master role.
Understanding these aspects is essential for educators aspiring to leadership positions and those interested in the administrative dynamics of Kenyan secondary schools.
Duties and Responsibilities of Senior Masters in TSC T-Scale 9, 10, 11, and 12
According to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Senior Masters at different T-Scales have specific duties and responsibilities, including:
- Lesson Planning:
Prepare lesson plans, notes, timetables, and schemes of work to maintain academic standards and ensure syllabus coverage.
- Teaching:
Teach specialized subjects to impart knowledge, skills, and attitudes to students.
- Evaluation:
Evaluate students on specialized subjects and prepare them for national and other examinations.
- Innovation:
Initiate new ideas and programs to improve teaching and learning in specialized subjects.
- Teamwork:
Collaborate in planning and teaching to ensure consistency and improvement in curriculum delivery.
- Role Modeling:
Serve as a role model and maintain discipline among students.
- Guidance and Counseling:
Provide guidance and counseling services and instill norms and values for harmonious co-existence.
- Safety and Health:
Ensure the safety and health of students.
- Professional Development:
Participate in workshops, seminars, and symposiums to enhance knowledge in subject areas.
- Remedial Actions:
Organize remedial actions to support students with performance gaps.
- Teacher Induction:
Induct and guide new teachers and teacher trainees on their duties, rules, and culture of the institution.
- Resource Utilization:
Ensure proper and optimal utilization of allocated resources for training and learning.
- Course Material Coordination:
Coordinate preparation and production of course materials necessary for curriculum delivery.
- Research:
Participate and/or conduct research in specialized subjects.
- Policy Implementation:
Interpret and implement policy decisions in specialized subjects within the department.
- Staff Development:
Mentor and coach staff in specialized subjects to improve knowledge, skills, and performance.
- Co-curricular Activities:
Supervise co-curricular activities to enhance learning and provide a broad spectrum for students to share ideas and nurture innovations.
- Asset Management:
Ensure proper care and maintenance of institutional assets related to teaching areas.
- Timetable Development:
Participate in the development of the school’s master timetable.
- Research Publication:
Initiate the publication of research to contribute to the dissemination of knowledge.
- Income Generation:
Initiate and supervise income-generating projects for the institution to be self-reliant.
- Other Duties:
Perform any other duty as may be assigned.
These duties are essential for ensuring effective teaching, learning, and school management, highlighting the diverse and demanding nature of the Senior Master role in the educational system.
TSC Senior Master Requirements for Appointment
Senior Master IV T-Scale 9
This grade serves as an entry point for institutional administrators in secondary schools.
Those appointed to this position are expected to provide professional support, mentorship, guidance, and counseling to teachers.
Promotion to this grade is competitive and subject to availability of vacancies.
Requirements for Appointment:
- Minimum three years of service as Secondary Teacher I T-Scale 8
- Satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process
- Completion of relevant Teacher Professional Development (TPD) modules
- Possession of a valid Teaching Certificate
- Compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution
- Any other requirements deemed necessary by the Commission
Senior Master III T-Scale 10
This grade is a promotion for institutional administrators in secondary schools.
Senior Masters III are expected to provide professional support, mentorship, guidance, and counseling, as well as perform administrative duties as assigned.
Promotion to this grade is competitive and subject to vacancy availability.
Requirements for Appointment:
- Minimum three years of service as Senior Master IV T-Scale 9
- Satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process
- Completion of relevant TPD modules
- Possession of a valid Teaching Certificate
- Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and support other teachers
- Compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution
- Any other requirements deemed necessary by the Commission
Senior Master II T-Scale 11
This grade is a promotional level for institutional administrators in secondary schools.
Senior Masters II are expected to provide professional support, mentorship, guidance, and counseling, and perform administrative duties. Promotion is competitive and subject to vacancy availability.
Requirements for Appointment:
- Minimum three years of service as Senior Master III T-Scale 10
- Satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process
- Completion of relevant TPD modules
- Possession of a valid Teaching Certificate
- Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and support other teachers
- Compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution
- Any other requirements deemed necessary by the Commission
Senior Master I T-Scale 12
This is a promotional grade for institutional administrators in secondary schools.
Senior Masters I are expected to provide professional support, mentorship, guidance, and counseling, as well as perform administrative duties.
Promotion is competitive and subject to vacancy availability.
Requirements for Appointment:
- Minimum three years of service as Senior Master II or Deputy Principal III T-Scale 11
- Satisfactory rating in the performance appraisal process
- Completion of relevant TPD modules
- Possession of a valid Teaching Certificate
- Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and support other teachers
- Compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution
- Any other requirements deemed necessary by the Commission
TSC Senior Master Salaries And Allowances
| TABLE 5: CONVERSION OF DEPUTY PRINCIPALS II AND SENIOR MASTER I | |||||
| GRADE D2 – T SCALE 12 | |||||
| BASIC SALARY AS AT 30.06.2023 | BASIC SALARY W.E.F 01.07.2023 | ||||
| SALARY POINTS | SALARY | ALLOWANCE GRADE | SALARY POINTS | SALARY | ALLOWANCE GRADE |
| 1 | 91,041 | D2 | 1 | 92,119 | D2 |
| 2 | 93,850 | D2 | 2 | 95,101 | D2 |
| 3 | 96,745 | D2 | 3 | 97,552 | D2 |
| 4 | 99,730 | D2 | 4 | 100,661 | D2 |
| 5 | 102,807 | D2 | 5 | 103,861 | D2 |
| 6 | 105,979 | D2 | 6 | 107,157 | D2 |
| 7 | 109,249 | D2 | 7 | 110,551 | D2 |
| TABLE 6: CONVERSION OF SENIOR MASTER II, DEPUTY PRINCIPALS III/ SENIOR HEADTEACHER/SENIOR LECTURER II | |||||
| GRADE D1 – T SCALE 11 | |||||
| BASIC SALARY AS AT 30.06.2023 | BASIC SALARY W.E.F 01.07.2023 | ||||
| SALARY POINTS | SALARY | ALLOWANCE GRADE | SALARY POINTS | SALARY | ALLOWANCE GRADE |
| 1 | 77,840 | D1 | 1 | 78,625 | D1 |
| NEW | 2 | 81,128 | D1 | ||
| NEW | 3 | 83,755 | D1 | ||
| 2 | 85,269 | D1 | 4 | 86,458 | D1 |
| 3 | 87,900 | D1 | 5 | 89,240 | D1 |
| 4 | 89,748 | D1 | 6 | 92,119 | D1 |
| 5 | 90,612 | D1 | |||
| 6 | 91,041 | D1 | |||
| 7 | 93,408 | D1 | 7 | 95,101 | D1 |
| TABLE 8: CONVERSION OF SENIOR MASTER IV/SENIOR LECTURER IV/ SENIOR TEACHER – SNE/SENIOR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER – SECONDARY/DEPUTY HEADTEACHER II | |||||
| GRADE C4 – T SCALE 9 | |||||
| BASIC SALARY AS AT 30.06.2023 | BASIC SALARY W.E.F 01.07.2023 | ||||
| SALARY POINTS | SALARY | ALLOWANCE GRADE | SALARY POINTS | SALARY | ALLOWANCE GRADE |
| 1 | New | 1 | 52,308 | C4 | |
| 2 | 52,308 | C4 | 2 | 54,584 | C4 |
| 2 | 55,604 | C4 | 3 | 56,947 | C4 |
| 3 | 56,347 | C4 | 4 | 59,387 | C4 |
| 4 | 58,482 | C4 | 5 | 61,909 | C4 |
| 5 | 60,698 | C4 | |||
| 6 | 62,998 | C4 | 6 | 64,527 | C4 |
| 7 | 65,385 | C4 | 7 | 67,220 | C4 |
| APPENDIX A: – HOUSE ALLOWANCE | ||||||
| S/no | Grade | TSC Scale | CLUSTER 1 Nairobi City | CLUSTER 2 Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru Cities, Nyeri, Eldoret,Thika, Kisii, Malindi and Kitale Municipalities | CLUSTER 3 Other Former Municipalities | CLUSTER 4 All Other Areas |
| 5 | C4 | 9 | 28,000 | 22,000 | 16,500 | 14,055 |
| 6 | C5 | 10 | 35,000 | 25,500 | 18,000 | 16,184 |
| 7 | D1 | 11 | 45,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 | 18,066 |
| 8 | D2 | 12 | 45,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 | 18,066 |
| APPENDIX B: HARDSHIP ALLOWANCE, COMMUTER ALLOWANCE, ANNUAL LEAVE ALLOWANCE AND DISABILITY GUIDE ALLOWANCE | ||||||
| Sno | Grade | Tsc Scale | Hardship Allowance | Commuter Allowance | Annual Leave Allowance | Disability Guide Allowance |
| 5 | C4 | 9 | 14,650 | 8,000 | 6,000 | 20,000 |
| 6 | C5 | 10 | 17,100 | 8,000 | 6,000 | 20,000 |
| 7 | D1 | 11 | 27,300 | 12,000 | 10,000 | 20,000 |
| 8 | D2 | 12 | 27,300 | 12,000 | 10,000 | 20,000 |
FAQs on TSC Senior Master
Q: What is the role of a Senior Master in a secondary school?
A: A Senior Master in a secondary school plays a crucial role in the administrative cadre, providing professional support, mentorship, guidance, and counseling to teachers.
They also oversee the academic standards of the school, ensure syllabus coverage, and handle administrative duties assigned by the Commission.
Q: How is promotion to the Senior Master position determined?
A: Promotion to the Senior Master position is competitive and subject to the availability of vacancies.
To qualify for promotion, teachers must meet specific requirements, including a minimum period of service in the previous grade, a satisfactory performance appraisal rating, completion of relevant Teacher Professional Development (TPD) modules, possession of a valid Teaching Certificate, compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution, and any other requirements deemed necessary by the Commission.
Q: What are the different levels of Senior Masters and their corresponding grades?
A: The Senior Master position is categorized into four levels: Senior Master I, II, III, and IV.
These levels correspond to T-Scale 12, 11, 10, and 9, respectively, denoted as TSC grade D2, D1, C5, and C4.
Q: What are the key duties and responsibilities of a Senior Master?
A: The duties and responsibilities of a Senior Master include preparing lesson plans, teaching specialized subjects, evaluating students, initiating new ideas and programs for improvement, embracing teamwork through collaborative planning, maintaining discipline, providing guidance and counseling services, ensuring safety and health of students, participating in professional development activities, and performing any other duty as may be assigned.
Q: What is the salary and allowances structure for Senior Masters?
A: The salary and allowances for Senior Masters vary depending on their T-Scale and grade and ranges from Ksh. 52,308 to Ksh. 110,551
There are different salary points within each grade, and allowances include house allowance, hardship allowance, commuter allowance, annual leave allowance, and disability guide allowance.
The amounts for these allowances vary based on the cluster of the school location and the specific T-Scale and grade of the Senior Master.
Q: How does a Senior Master contribute to the improvement of teaching and learning in a school?
A: Senior Masters play a crucial role in improving teaching and learning by initiating new ideas and programs, coordinating the development of course materials, conducting research, and participating in professional development activities.
They also provide mentorship and support to other teachers, supervise co-curricular activities, and ensure proper utilization of resources for training and learning.
Q: What is the significance of Chapter Six of the Constitution in the appointment of Senior Masters?
A: Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya outlines the values and principles of public service, including integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
Compliance with Chapter Six is a requirement for the appointment of Senior Masters, ensuring that they uphold ethical standards and contribute to the overall integrity of the education sector.
Q: How does the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) ensure the effectiveness of Senior Masters in their roles?
A: The TSC ensures the effectiveness of Senior Masters through performance appraisal processes, which evaluate their performance based on set standards and criteria.
This process helps identify areas for improvement and ensures that Senior Masters meet the expectations of their roles in promoting quality education in Kenya.
Q: What opportunities for professional growth and development are available to Senior Masters?
A: Senior Masters have various opportunities for professional growth and development, including participating in workshops, seminars, and symposiums to enhance their knowledge in subject areas.
They can also undertake relevant Teacher Professional Development (TPD) modules and engage in research to contribute to the dissemination of knowledge in their field.
Q: How do Senior Masters contribute to the overall management and administration of a secondary school?
A: Senior Masters contribute to the overall management and administration of a secondary school by providing professional support to teachers, maintaining discipline among students, ensuring the safety and health of students, and supervising co-curricular activities.
They also play a key role in policy implementation, resource utilization, and staff development within the school.
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Mr. Weldon Kosgei, a dedicated educator with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Kenya, brings years of experience and a deep love for education to his role at TSCNewsToday.co.ke. He provides insightful and timely updates on TSC policies, educational trends, and best practices, making his articles valuable resources for educators and administrators. Mr. Kosgei’s commitment to enhancing education shines through in his writing, connecting and inspiring the teaching community across Kenya.
