Teachers around the country are set to enjoy a salary hike following the release of a new salary structure by the Teachers Service Commission.
The first phase of the new salary structure, which took effect on July 1, 2025, resulted from a new four-year collective bargaining agreement signed by the TSC and teachers’ unions, including KNUT and KUPPET.
In its statement, TSC stated that the salary increase was a response to long-standing concerns raised by teachers and their unions.
The new salary structure introduced a new salary band that is set to increase the minimum and maximum salaries of teachers in public schools. The increment will be implemented gradually over a four-year period and will bolster the paychecks of teachers across all job groups, from B5 to D5.
The table below shows a breakdown of the new salary changes as provided by TSC across all job groups:
Old vs. New TSC Salary Structure (2025–2029 CBA)
| Job Group | Designation | Old Salary (Before 2025 CBA) | New Salary (2025–2029 CBA) |
| B5 | Primary Entry Teacher | KSh 25,075 – 30,448 | KSh 28,620 – 37,100 |
| C1 | Senior Teacher II / JSS Teacher | KSh 31,787 – 35,336 | KSh 39,740 – 47,261 |
| C2 | Senior Teacher I / Graduate Secondary Teacher | KSh 39,074 – 50,201 | KSh 41,420 – 57,230 |
| C3 | Senior Master IV / Senior Teacher | KSh 46,698 – 60,874 | KSh 49,781 – 66,233 |
| C4 | Deputy Headteacher I / Senior Master III | KSh 53,864 – 70,947 | KSh 58,585 – 77,120 |
| C5 | Headteacher / Senior Master II | KSh 64,140 – 83,770 | KSh 69,745 – 96,130 |
| D1 | Deputy Principal III / CSO | KSh 79,213 – 97,103 | KSh 80,984 – 99,272 |
| D2 | Deputy Principal II / Sr. CSO | KSh 93,189 – 113,633 | KSh 95,271 – 116,070 |
| D3 | Principal (Sub-/Extra-County Schools) | KSh 106,736 – 130,434 | KSh 109,224 – 133,347 |
| D4 | Senior Principal / Large School Head | KSh 119,128 – 147,383 | KSh 121,789 – 150,675 |
| D5 | Chief Principal / Top Education Admin | KSh 132,365 – 163,748 | KSh 135,321 – 167,415 |
The salary increases cut across the entire cadre of TSC teachers, from newly employed primary school teachers to high-ranking chief principals. Currently, TSC has a workforce of at least 400,000 teachers actively serving in Kenyan public schools.
In a statement, TSC stated that the salary increment would increase teacher motivation, enhance equality, and improve service delivery across the education sector.
“It is our firm belief that through such progressive awards, the majority of the key concerns raised by the teachers have been fully addressed, and the Commission will be able to have a motivated, ethical, and globally competitive teacher in its service.”
Aside from the salary increases, the CBA includes new teacher promotions, better working conditions, and increased commuter allowances, as shown in the table below:
TSC Commuter Allowances (2025–2029 CBA)
| Job Group | Designation | Monthly Commuter Allowance (KSh) |
| B5 | Primary Teacher II | 4,000 |
| C1 | Primary Teacher I / JSS Teacher | 4,000 |
| C2 | Secondary Teacher III / Senior Teacher I | 5,000 |
| C3 | Secondary Teacher II / Senior Master IV | 6,000 |
| C4 | Senior Master III / Deputy Headteacher II | 8,000 |
| C5 | Senior Master II / Deputy Headteacher I | 8,000 |
| D1 | Deputy Principal III / Senior Master I | 12,000 |
| D2 | Deputy Principal II | 12,000 |
| D3 | Principal / Senior Principal | 14,000 |
| D4 | Senior Principal | 14,000 |
| D5 | Chief Principal | 16,000 |
The CBA will undoubtedly improve the education sector and align teacher welfare with ongoing national education reforms.