The journey to securing improved pay for teachers has been lengthy, marked by ongoing disputes between the Kenyan National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). The Salaries and Remuneration Commission eventually settled on a plan to increase salaries to be conducted in three stages.
Driven by worries about their pay and working conditions, KNUT has consistently urged the government to make regular salary adjustments for teachers. This push resulted in the signing of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that promises equitable compensation for all educators.
Under the new TSC teacher salary and grading system, certain job groups have been eliminated, while others have been consolidated. The system categorizes teaching roles into different grades and T-scales, with salaries adjusted accordingly.
Here is the detailed breakdown of the grades, T-Scales, and their corresponding salaries:
Chief Principal– Grade D5 (T-Scale 15)
The Chief Principal holds Grade D5 (T-Scale 15), the highest rank in the system. These positions are for Heads of Institutions in National and Extra County Schools with over 1,000 students. They will receive a salary increment of up to Kshs 9,496. In this group, the lowest salary is Kshs 131,380, while the highest is Kshs 157,656 per month.
Senior Principal – Grade D4 (T-Scale 14)
At the next level, Senior Principals advance to Grade D4 (T-Scale 14). These Senior Principals oversee County Schools with more than 540 students. Their monthly salaries will range from Kshs 118,242 to Kshs 143,581.
Principal and Deputy Principal I –Grade D3, T-Scale 13
These individuals are the heads of Sub-County schools. In this category, the lowest salary is Kshs 105,182, while the highest reaches Kshs 127,069 per month.
Deputy Principal II, Senior Master I, and Senior Lecturer I – Grade D2 (T-Scale 12)
The Deputy Principal II and Senior Master I fall under Grade D2 (T-Scale 12), with a basic salary ranging from Kshs 92,119 to Kshs 110,551.
Senior Master II, Deputy Principal III, Senior Head Teacher, Senior Lecturer II, and Curriculum Support Officer I–Grade D1, T-Scale 11
Primary schools with over 1,000 students are led by Senior Head Teachers, while Senior Master II manages County Schools with more than 540 students. Their basic salaries range from Kshs 78,625 to Kshs 95,101.
Deputy Principals III oversee Sub-County and All-Day schools. The salary for this grade starts at Kshs 91,041, with the highest earning the same amount of Kshs 91,041 per month.
Senior Master III, Senior Lecturer III, Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher I, and Curriculum Support Officer II – Grade C5 (TT-Scale 10 )
Primary schools with fewer than 1,000 students are led by Head Teachers in Grade C5 (T-Scale 10). Deputy Head Teachers I, also in Grade C5 (T-Scale 10), manage primary schools with more than 1,000 students. Meanwhile, Senior Master III, who are in Grade C5 (T-Scale 10), oversee Sub-County and All-Day schools. Their salaries range from Kshs 62,272 to Kshs 78,667.
Senior lecturer IV, Senior master IV, SNE Senior Teacher Primary, SNE Teacher I Secondary, and Deputy Head Teacher II – Grade C4, T-Scale 9
Deputy Head Teacher II manage primary schools with fewer than 1,000 students. Teachers in this category will earn between Kshs 52,308 and Kshs 67,220.
Secondary Teacher I, Lecturer I, SNE Teacher I, Primary, SNE Teacher II, Secondary, and Senior Teacher I–Grade C3 at T-Scale 8
Secondary Teacher I, who are in Grade C3 (formerly L), are secondary school teachers at a promotional level. Conversely, Senior Teacher I, also in Grade C3, manage primary schools with more than 1,000 students. Teachers in this category earn between Kshs 44,412 and Kshs 56,514 per month.
Secondary Teacher II, SNE Teacher II, Primary, Lecturer II, and Senior Teacher II–Grade C2 at T-Scale 7
Teachers in Grade C2 (formerly K) will not receive a salary increment in this phase. This grade serves as an entry level for secondary school teachers with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education or its equivalent and as a promotional grade for those with a Diploma in Education. Senior Teacher II, who oversee primary schools with fewer than 1,000 students, earn between Kshs 36,621 and Kshs 45,776.
Secondary Teacher III, Lecturer III, and Primary Teacher I at Grade C1 –Grade C1
Grade C1 is the entry level for secondary school teachers with a Diploma in Education. Secondary Teacher III, also in Grade C1, holds this entry position for teachers with a Diploma in Education. Their salaries range from Kshs 28,491 to Kshs 35,614.
Primary Teacher II – Grade B5 at T-Scale 5
This is the entry grade for primary school teachers and offers the lowest salary. Teachers in this grade will earn between Kshs 22,793 and Kshs 28,491.
The TSC teachers’ pay scale will be introduced in two stages, with the first stage already in effect. The second stage is delayed due to the finance bill’s rejection, which impacts educators currently in active service.
Teachers have threatened to strike on August 26 if the second phase of the pay scale is not implemented. TSC Chief Nancy Macharia has been holding meetings with various unions to negotiate a resolution to the pay dispute.
