In the new 2025–2029 CBA, TSC interacts with Teachers’ unions to discuss pay and benefits.

In the new 2025–2029 CBA, TSC interacts with Teachers’ unions to discuss pay and benefits.

As the present non-monetary Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) nears its end on June 30, 2025, discussions between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and Kenya’s teachers’ unions, particularly the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), are becoming more intense.

The unions are pushing for significant wage increases and better allowances in the upcoming 2025–2029 CBA.

Requests from unions

Citing the inadequacy of earlier CBAs in addressing the rising cost of living, KNUT is advocating for a 60% increase in basic salary.

KUPPET requests a minimum salary raise of between 50% and 100% as well as the establishment of a risk allowance just for science instructors.

Suggested Improvements to Allowances

Both unions are pushing for:

Overtime Pay: Teachers who work on public holidays are paid overtime or receive a set monetary incentive.
Hardship Allowances: Supplemental pay for instructors in difficult-to-staff, semi-arid, and arid areas.

Acting Allowances: Payments for teachers who have not been officially confirmed but are serving in acting positions, such as deputy headteachers or department heads.
Recent Events

The second phase of the 2021–2025 CBA, which included pay increases between 2.4% and 9.5%, was put into effect by the TSC in August 2024. These raises, which ranged from Ksh 3,850 to Ksh 50,000 depending on the work category, included benefits for things like commuting, housing, leave, and hardship. They were retroactive to July 1, 2024.

These changes have not, however, pleased the unions, who claim that they do not adhere to the recommendations of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). As a result, they have given strike notices, calling for the complete implementation of the 2021–2025 CBA, the resolution of past due wages, and the start of negotiations for the 2026–2030 CBA.

Legislative Measures

The Teachers Service Commission Act has been proposed for amendment in order to create a formal system for teacher allowances. In line with the unions’ demands for fair and transparent compensation administration, this bill seeks to guarantee fairness and transparency in how teachers’ benefits are administered.

The results of ongoing negotiations will have a major impact on the well-being of teachers throughout Kenya. To make sure that the upcoming CBA covers the long-standing issues facing educators, stakeholders are keeping a careful eye on events.