TSC officials led by acting CEO Everleen Mitei during the 2025-2029 CBA meeting
Introduction
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and teachers’ unions (KNUT and KUPPET) have officially signed the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), marking a significant milestone in teacher welfare. This four-year agreement introduces phased salary increments, revised allowances, and improved benefits aimed at boosting morale, addressing the rising cost of living, and ensuring fair compensation for educators.
For Kenyan teachers, this CBA represents a long-awaited adjustment that will directly impact their earnings over the next four years. In this post, we break down the key changes, including salary increments for each job group, additional benefits, and what this means for the education sector.
What Is the 2025–2029 TSC CBA?
The 2025–2029 CBA is a legally binding agreement between TSC and teachers’ unions that outlines salary adjustments and benefits for public school teachers in Kenya. Unlike previous CBAs, this one spans four years (2025–2029) and includes structured annual salary increments.
Key Features of the CBA:
- Phased Implementation: Salary increases will be rolled out in four phases (2025/26, 2026/27, 2027/28, 2028/29).
- Universal Coverage: Applies to all teachers in public primary and secondary schools.
- Additional Benefits: Beyond salaries, the CBA includes promotions, hardship allowances, and enhanced medical cover.
This structured approach ensures gradual but consistent improvements in teacher compensation while allowing TSC to manage budgetary constraints effectively.
Key Highlights of the New CBA Salary Structure
The new CBA introduces salary increments for all job groups, from the lowest-paid (B5) to the highest (D5). Below is a breakdown of the minimum and maximum salaries per job group over the four-year period:
| Job Group | 2025/26 (Min–Max) | 2026/27 (Min–Max) | 2027/28 (Min–Max) | 2028/29 (Min–Max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B5 | 25,075–30,448 | 26,072–32,276 | 27,269–34,104 | 28,620–37,100 |
| C1 | 31,787–39,740 | 33,174–42,246 | 34,561–44,752 | 35,336–47,261 |
| C2 | 39,074–50,201 | 39,862–52,544 | 40,650–54,887 | 41,420–57,230 |
| C3 | 46,698–60,874 | 47,725–62,661 | 48,752–64,448 | 49,781–66,233 |
| C4 | 53,864–70,947 | 55,443–73,012 | 57,012–75,077 | 58,585–77,120 |
| C5 | 64,140–83,770 | 66,008–87,889 | 67,876–92,008 | 69,745–96,130 |
| D1 | 79,213–97,103 | 79,802–97,825 | 80,391–98,547 | 80,984–99,272 |
| D2 | 93,189–113,633 | 93,801–114,477 | 94,494–115,321 | 95,271–116,070 |
| D3 | 106,736–130,434 | 107,531–131,405 | 108,326–132,376 | 109,224–133,347 |
| D4 | 119,128–147,383 | 120,014–148,180 | 120,900–149,577 | 121,789–150,675 |
| D5 | 132,365–163,748 | 133,350–165,003 | 134,335–166,222 | 135,321–167,415 |
Key Observations:
- Entry-Level Teachers (B5): Will see a 15% increase, with salaries rising from KSh 25,075 in 2025 to KSh 28,620 by 2029.
- Senior Teachers (C1–C5): Will receive steady increments, with some grades (like C5) nearing KSh 100,000 by 2029.
- Principals (D4–D5): The highest earners will cross KSh 167,000 by the final phase.
Why This Salary Adjustment Matters
The 2025–2029 CBA is more than just a salary bump—it’s a strategic move to improve teacher welfare and education quality. Here’s why it matters:
1. Inflation and Cost of Living Adjustments
With rising inflation, teachers have faced financial strain. The new increments help cushion them against economic pressures, ensuring their salaries remain competitive.
2. Motivation and Retention
Better pay improves job satisfaction, reducing turnover and attracting skilled professionals to the teaching profession.
3. Narrowing Pay Gaps
Lower-grade teachers (B5–C2) receive higher percentage increases, reducing income disparity between entry-level and senior educators.
4. Career Growth Incentives
The CBA encourages professional development, as promotions and salary hikes are tied to performance and experience.
Other Benefits Included in the 2025–2029 CBA
Beyond salaries, the CBA introduces several non-monetary benefits:
1. Performance-Based Promotions
- Teachers will now advance based on merit, competency, and years of service.
- Faster promotions for those in lower job groups (B5–C3).
2. Enhanced Medical Cover
- Improved MINET or alternative medical schemes covering teachers and their dependents.
- Specialized healthcare access for chronic conditions.
3. Hardship Allowances
- Teachers in arid and remote areas will receive higher hardship allowances.
- Additional risk allowances for special needs schools.
4. Digital Integration
- Training and tools for digital teaching and assessment.
- Support for e-learning infrastructure in schools.
Conclusion
The 2025–2029 TSC CBA marks a progressive step in recognizing and rewarding Kenya’s teachers. With structured salary increments, better allowances, and performance-based promotions, this agreement has the potential to transform teacher welfare and, by extension, education quality in the country.
Teachers should review their job groups and plan their finances accordingly, while stakeholders must ensure smooth implementation. If executed well, this CBA could set a new standard for fair compensation in Kenya’s public sector.
What are your thoughts on the new CBA? Share in the comments below!
