Thousands of teachers are set to receive revised salaries in the July 2026 payroll after the implementation of the second phase of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), with new figures showing that classroom teachers will enjoy some of the biggest pay increases.
The revised salary structure indicates that several classroom-based teaching grades will receive larger monthly salary increments than some senior school administrators, including principals and head teachers.
The changes are expected to take effect from July 1, 2026, with the new salaries reflected in teachers’ July payslips.
Secondary Teacher I gets the biggest increase
According to the new CBA salary matrix, Secondary Teacher I (Grade C3) has emerged as the biggest beneficiary among the selected entry-level salary points.
Teachers in the grade will receive a monthly increase of KSh2,055, pushing their minimum basic salary from KSh46,699 to KSh48,754.
The increase is the highest among the job groups highlighted in the new salary schedule.
Grade C2 teachers also receive a major boost
Teachers serving as Secondary Teacher II (Grade C2) will also benefit significantly.
Their minimum basic salary will increase by KSh2,030, rising from KSh39,070 to KSh41,100.
The sizeable adjustment places classroom teachers among the biggest winners under the second phase of the CBA.
Senior administrators receive smaller increments
While senior school administrators will also benefit from the salary review, the increases are noticeably smaller than those awarded to some classroom teachers.
Under the new salary structure:
- Grade D5 (Chief Principal) will receive an increase of KSh986, with the minimum basic salary rising from KSh132,365 to KSh133,351.
- Grade D4 (Senior Principal) will receive an increase of KSh887.
- Grade D3 (Principal/Deputy Principal I) will receive a monthly increase of KSh796.
The figures suggest that although administrators continue to earn substantially higher salaries overall, their monthly salary adjustments under this phase of the CBA are lower than those awarded to some teachers in classroom-based grades.
Grade D2 records the smallest increase
The smallest increase among the highlighted grades goes to Grade D2, which includes Head Teachers and Deputy Principal II.
Teachers in the grade will receive a monthly increase of KSh693, with the minimum basic salary moving from KSh93,190 to KSh93,883.
New salaries expected in July payroll
Sources familiar with the implementation of the agreement indicate that the revised salary rates will be reflected in the July 2026 payroll, with effect from July 1, 2026.
However, the salary adjustments published in the matrix represent minimum basic salaries for each grade.
This means the increases will not be identical for every teacher.
Teachers earning salaries at higher notches within the same grade are expected to receive different increments based on the official TSC salary progression and conversion tables.
Part of the 2025–2029 CBA
The salary review forms part of the implementation of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiated between the Teachers Service Commission and teachers’ unions.
The agreement provides for phased salary adjustments aimed at improving teachers’ remuneration over the life of the CBA.
The latest implementation follows the approval of revised public sector salary structures by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), which recently issued guidelines for implementing salary adjustments arising from Collective Bargaining Agreements across government institutions.
Why classroom teachers are among the biggest winners
The latest salary matrix has attracted attention because it shifts the focus of larger percentage increases towards classroom-based teaching positions rather than senior administrative roles.
Although principals and chief principals remain among the highest-paid employees in the teaching service, the July adjustments show that teachers in Grades C2 and C3 are receiving larger monthly increments under this phase of the CBA.
Education stakeholders say the approach could help improve morale among classroom teachers, who make up the largest share of the TSC workforce and are directly involved in teaching and learning.
What teachers should know
Teachers are advised to note that:
- The figures represent minimum basic salaries at the entry point of each grade.
- Individual salary increments will vary depending on a teacher’s salary notch.
- The revised salaries are expected to take effect from July 1, 2026 and be reflected in the July payroll.
- Allowances are separate from the revised basic salary and will continue to be paid in accordance with existing TSC and SRC guidelines.
The implementation of the second phase of the CBA marks another step in the government’s plan to progressively enhance teachers’ pay while aligning public sector salaries with negotiated collective bargaining agreements.
