The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has begun implementing revised salary scales for teachers under the second phase of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), introducing monthly salary increases of up to Sh2,055.
The new salary structure, which took effect on July 1, 2026, will benefit teachers across all job grades, although the amount of the increase will depend on each teacher’s grade and salary point.
In a circular dated July 16, TSC directed all regional, county and sub-county directors to immediately implement the revised salary structure, which will remain in effect until June 30, 2027.
The implementation marks the second phase of the four-year salary agreement signed between TSC and 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).
Under the new salary scales, teachers will maintain their current job grades and titles but will move to new salary points. Those whose annual salary increment falls on July 1 will first receive their annual increment before being transferred to the revised salary structure.
“This Circular shall apply to all teachers in service as at July 1, 2026, except interns. This Circular is effective from 1st July, 2026 to 30 June, 2027,” reads the circular.
“Teachers converting into the new salary scales will retain their current incremental dates. However, where the incremental date falls on July 1, 2026, teachers will be granted their annual increment on the existing salary scales, then convert to the new salary points with effect from the same date.”
Teachers in Grades C2 and C3 are among the biggest beneficiaries of the review, with Secondary Teacher I officers in Grade C3 receiving the highest monthly increase of Sh2,055.
Deputy Principals II will receive the lowest adjustment at Sh693.
The revised pay structure will also affect teachers in senior positions. Chief Principals in Grade D5 (T-Scale 15) will now earn between Sh133,351 and Sh164,977, compared with the previous range of Sh132,365 and Sh163,758 under the earlier phase of the agreement.
Senior Principals and Chief Curriculum Support Officers in Grade D4 will earn between Sh120,016 and Sh148,480, while Principals and Deputy Principals I in Grade D3 will take home between Sh107,634 and Sh131,405.
Teachers in Grade D2, including Deputy Principals II and Senior Headteachers, will earn between Sh93,883 and Sh114,322, while Headteachers and Deputy Headteachers in Grade D1 will also benefit from the revised salary scales.
TSC said existing allowances will not be affected by the salary changes and will remain unchanged.
The allowances include house allowance, hardship allowance, commuter allowance, baggage allowance, annual leave allowance and disability guide allowance, where applicable.
Knut Deputy Secretary General Hesbon Otieno welcomed the implementation of the salary review but said the union would push for a shorter CBA review cycle to allow teachers to negotiate improved terms more frequently.
He said teachers had already raised the issue with President William Ruto during a recent meeting at State House and that discussions would continue with TSC and the Ministry of Education.
“We are monitoring the implementation of the agreement and will immediately begin discussions on shortening the implementation phases. During our State House visit, we presented our concerns to the President, who agreed that the period for reviewing the CBA should be reduced,” Otieno said.
He, however, said the salary increase would only offer some relief and would not fully address all the challenges affecting teachers.
“Any salary increment may not adequately address all the challenges teachers face, but it goes some way towards addressing their concerns,” he said.
The salary review comes after years of complaints by teachers over stagnant pay, rising living costs and delayed career progression.
Teachers’ unions have also raised concerns over staff shortages, increasing workloads, delayed promotions, inadequate medical cover and teachers serving in acting positions for long periods without receiving corresponding benefits.
While welcoming the latest salary adjustment, the unions said improved pay should be accompanied by better working conditions to help attract, motivate and retain qualified teachers.
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