TSC appeals for Sh17 billion to cover teachers' pay rise, promotions
The TSC now awaits Parliament’s decision on the Sh17 billion request, which will determine whether teachers' salaries, insurance, and promotions remain secure in the coming months.
Teachers’ salaries, medical insurance, and promotions hang in the balance as the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) seeks an additional Sh17 billion to cover urgent financial needs. With a growing budget deficit, the commission is appealing to Parliament for more funds before the financial year ends on June 30.
The money is needed to implement the second phase of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which was signed in 2023, and cater to other critical teacher welfare concerns.
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Initially, TSC had allocated Sh13 billion for the second phase, but the funds were not factored into the budget, creating a financing gap that now requires urgent intervention.
According to a presentation made to the Education Committee, the Sh17 billion request is earmarked for key expenditures, including Sh10.2 billion for implementing the CBA, Sh4.9 billion for the teachers' health insurance scheme, Sh1.8 billion to transition 46,000 intern teachers to permanent and pensionable terms, and Sh1 billion for teacher promotions.
TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia explained that these funds are essential for maintaining teachers' salaries and benefits.
“The ongoing Phase 2 implementation and the medical scheme are just top-ups. The 2021-2025 CBA for teachers did not initially have an allocation, as it was only signed in 2023. The first documented phase (2023-2024) was implemented, and now we are in the 2024-2025 financial year, which marks Phase 2, requiring Sh13 billion that has already been paid,” she said.
However, even with the budget revision, the commission still faces a Sh30.4 billion deficit, affecting teacher salaries, promotions, and benefits.
Of this amount, Sh13.8 billion is required to employ 46,000 intern teachers on permanent and pensionable terms starting in January 2025, while Sh9.3 billion is needed for medical insurance and group life contributions.
Appearing before the Education Committee, Macharia emphasised the urgent need for additional funds to sustain teacher salaries, medical insurance, and other commitments.
She further revealed that the commission's budget had been revised upwards by Sh18.56 billion, mainly to cover Sh17.9 billion in personnel emoluments, Sh300 million for teacher capacity development, and Sh328 million for general administration and planning.
By December 31, 2024, TSC had spent a significant portion of its Sh347.888 billion budget, with Sh347.493 billion used for recurrent expenditures such as wages, operations, and maintenance.
The commission had also utilised Sh395 million for development projects, including the Secondary Education Quality Improvement Project (SEQIP) and the Kenya Primary Education Equity in Learning Programme (KPEELP).
However, Macharia pointed out that Sh4.3 billion in Exchequer funds from the previous financial year remains unpaid, further straining the commission’s financial stability.
Despite these financial struggles, the government has allocated Sh1 billion for teacher promotions and Sh300 million for training on the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Even so, Macharia warned that without additional funding, the education sector could face major disruptions.
The TSC now awaits Parliament’s decision on the Sh17 billion request, which will determine whether teachers' salaries, insurance, and promotions remain secure in the coming months.
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