Teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) are now earning higher salaries following the implementation of the second phase of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which took effect on 1 July 2026. The revised salary structure is part of a four-year agreement aimed at improving teachers’ pay in phases while enhancing motivation and retention across the education sector.
The salary increase has been welcomed by thousands of teachers, particularly those in the lower job grades who are among the biggest beneficiaries of the latest adjustments. The National Treasury allocated additional funding for the implementation of the second phase, enabling TSC to process the revised salaries in the July 2026 payroll.
Why TSC Teachers Are Receiving Higher Salaries
The 2025–2029 CBA was negotiated between the Teachers Service Commission and the teachers’ unions, including the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET).
Rather than introducing a one-time salary increase, the agreement provides for gradual pay rises over four phases:
- Phase One – July 2025
- Phase Two – July 2026
- Phase Three – July 2027
- Phase Four – July 2028
This phased implementation is intended to ensure sustainable salary growth while managing the government’s wage bill.
New TSC Basic Salary Scale for July 2026
The following table shows the revised basic salary ranges after the implementation of the second phase of the 2025–2029 CBA.
| TSC Grade | Common Position | New Basic Salary (KSh) |
|---|---|---|
| B5 | Primary Teacher II | 28,620 – 37,100 |
| C1 | Primary Teacher I / Secondary Teacher II | 35,336 – 47,261 |
| C2 | Senior Teacher II / Secondary Teacher III | 41,420 – 57,230 |
| C3 | Senior Teacher I / Primary Headteacher | 49,781 – 66,233 |
| C4 | Deputy Headteacher II | 58,585 – 77,120 |
| C5 | Headteacher / Deputy Principal IV | 69,745 – 96,130 |
| D1 | Deputy Principal III | 80,984 – 99,272 |
| D2 | Deputy Principal II | 91,041 – 114,147 |
| D3 | Principal | 104,644 – 127,069 |
| D4 | Senior Principal | 118,242 – 143,587 |
| D5 | Chief Principal | 135,321 – 156,868 |
The exact amount paid depends on an individual teacher’s salary notch within each grade.
Lower Grade Teachers Record Bigger Gains
Teachers in the lower job groups continue to benefit significantly from the salary review.
For example, a Primary Teacher II in Grade B5 now earns a basic salary starting from KSh28,620, with opportunities for annual progression up to KSh37,100 depending on the salary notch. Similar improvements have also been implemented for teachers in Grades C1 and C2, covering many primary, junior secondary and secondary school teachers.
The revised salaries are expected to improve teachers’ financial wellbeing while making the teaching profession more attractive.
What About Allowances?
Although the July 2026 implementation mainly affects basic salaries, teachers will continue receiving existing allowances based on their work stations and responsibilities.
These include:
- House allowance
- Commuter allowance
- Hardship allowance
- Leave allowance
- Responsibility allowance
- Special duty allowance
Many teachers have continued to call for a review of these allowances to reflect the rising cost of living. However, the current phase of the CBA primarily focuses on improving basic pay.
Annual Salary Progression Still Applies
Apart from the CBA salary adjustments, teachers will continue to benefit from annual salary notch increments where applicable.
This means eligible teachers may receive higher earnings through:
- Annual salary progression
- Salary increases under the CBA
- Promotions to higher grades
Teachers who receive promotions during the implementation period are likely to experience even greater improvements in their monthly income.
What the Salary Increase Means for Teachers
Education stakeholders believe the latest salary adjustment will improve morale among teachers, especially as schools continue implementing education reforms and expanding learning opportunities across the country.
Some of the expected benefits include:
- Improved teacher motivation.
- Better employee retention.
- Increased financial stability for teachers.
- Recognition of professional growth and experience.
- Enhanced service delivery in schools.
While teachers have welcomed the pay rise, unions are expected to continue engaging the government on additional improvements, particularly the review of allowances and faster promotion opportunities.
What to Expect Next
The July 2026 salary adjustment marks the second phase of the 2025–2029 CBA. Teachers should now look forward to the remaining implementation phases scheduled for July 2027 and July 2028.
These future phases are expected to deliver further salary improvements as the agreement reaches full implementation by 2029.
Conclusion
The implementation of the second phase of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement represents another important milestone for teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission. The revised salary structure provides higher basic pay across all job grades, with lower-grade teachers enjoying some of the biggest percentage increases.
Although allowances remain largely unchanged, the increase in basic salaries offers meaningful financial relief to thousands of teachers. As the remaining phases of the CBA are rolled out over the next two years, teachers can expect continued growth in their earnings, reinforcing the government’s commitment to improving remuneration within the teaching profession.
