Teachers to Receive Salary Increase From July as TSC Announces Promotions and JSS Hiring
Thousands of teachers across Kenya are set to receive a salary increase beginning next month after the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) confirmed that the new pay structure will take effect from July 2026.
The announcement was made by Jamleck Muturi during the closing ceremony of the 49th edition of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association Annual National Conference of Principals held in Mombasa on Friday, June 26.
According to Muturi, the government has allocated Ksh8.4 billion to facilitate the salary review, with teachers expected to begin enjoying the improved salaries from July.
“We have been allocated Ksh8.4 billion for increasing teachers’ salaries from July this year. That money has been allocated, and we will ensure that it is paid,” Muturi stated during the event.
More Than 30,000 Teachers to Be Promoted
In addition to the salary increment, TSC announced a major promotion exercise targeting more than 30,000 teachers across the country.
Muturi revealed that the commission had secured an additional Ksh2 billion from the National Treasury to finance the promotions, which are expected to be advertised in the coming weeks.
The exercise will benefit teachers serving in grades C2, C3, D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5, offering long-awaited career progression opportunities for thousands of educators who have remained in the same job groups for years.
According to TSC, the promotions will be guided by merit, performance and years of service. The commission also pledged to prioritize teachers who have experienced prolonged stagnation in their current grades.
The move is expected to ease frustrations among teachers who have repeatedly raised concerns over delayed promotions despite meeting qualification requirements.
Relief for JSS Teachers
The commission also announced that it has secured funding to employ 24,000 Junior Secondary School teachers on permanent and pensionable terms.
The decision addresses one of the key demands raised by teachers during recent nationwide demonstrations over job security and better employment terms.
The transition from internship contracts to permanent employment is expected to improve morale among JSS teachers and enhance stability within the education sector.
New Promotion System to Speed Up Career Growth
The developments come just days after TSC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) aimed at simplifying the promotion process for teachers.
The agreement, signed on June 18, is anchored on the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement and seeks to eliminate long-standing delays that have affected teachers seeking advancement in their careers.
Under the revised framework, teachers will now progress through six promotion levels, replacing the previous structure that required movement through numerous stages before reaching senior positions.
Education stakeholders believe the changes will make promotions faster, fairer and more transparent for teachers across the country.
Education CS Orders Immediate Production of Special Needs Learning Materials
Meanwhile, Julius Ogamba directed the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to immediately publish and distribute learning materials designed for learners with special needs.
The Education Cabinet Secretary specifically ordered the production and timely distribution of Braille books and other accessible learning resources for learners living with disabilities, including visually impaired students.
The directive forms part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen inclusive education and ensure that learners with disabilities receive equal access to quality educational materials.
Boost for Teachers and the Education Sector
The latest announcements represent one of the biggest boosts for Kenya’s teaching profession in recent years, combining higher salaries, faster promotions and increased permanent employment opportunities.
For thousands of teachers who have waited years for promotions and improved terms of service, the July implementation date signals a major milestone in improving welfare within the sector.
The measures are also expected to improve motivation among teachers and enhance service delivery in schools as Kenya continues implementing reforms under the Competency Based Curriculum framework.