2023 TSC Salaries and Grading System for Teachers
Learn about the recent changes in TSC salaries and grades in Kenya. Find out how the updated salary structure impacts primary and secondary school teachers.
For years, teachers in Kenya have toiled and rallied for better pay, with most of these efforts culminating in street protests. Thankfully, through the dogged determination of the Kenyan National Union of Teachers (KNUT), these pleas have not been brushed aside. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC), in conjunction with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, announced increased teacher salaries rolled out in three distinct phases. This article will guide you through the intricacies of the new TSC salaries and grading system implemented in 2023.
A New Dawn for TSC Salaries and Grading System
With the successful implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), there is a significant shift in teachers' grading and payment system. The street chants of "solidarity forever for the union makes us strong" have been replaced with a more confident assurance of fair pay.
The Overhaul of the TSC Grading System
The recent TSC update led to the phasing out of certain job groups while others were merged, streamlining the grading system. Here is a closer look at how these changes unfolded:
Disintegration and Formation of New Grades
Formerly, P1, a grade that fell under Job Group G, was eliminated and replaced by Grade B5, which became the entry grade for primary school tutors. This bold move created ripple effects, prompting the restructuring and renaming of subsequent grades. The grades and their corresponding job groups are as follows:
- Job Group J became C1
- Job Group K transformed into C2
- Job Group L morphed into C3
- Job Group M was renamed C4
- Job Group N became C5
The higher-ranking job groups, P, Q, and R, were also rechristened:
- Job Group P was renamed D1
- Job Group Q became D2
- Job Group R transitioned into D3
KNUT's request for additional job groups S and T was granted, creating categories D4 and D5, respectively. Notably, chief principals now fall under category D5.
| Grade (T-Scale) | Job Titles |
|---|---|
| B5 (T-Scale 5) | Primary Teacher II |
| C1 (T-Scale 6) | Primary Teacher I, Secondary Teacher II, Lecturer III |
| C2 (T-Scale 7) | Secondary Teacher II, Senior Teacher II, Lecturer II, Special Needs Education Teacher (for primary schools) |
| C3 (T-Scale 8) | Secondary Teacher I, Special Needs Education Teacher I (for primary schools), Lecturer I, Senior Teacher I, Special Needs Education Teacher II (for secondary schools) |
| C4 (T-Scale 9) | Senior Master IV, Special Needs Education Senior Teacher (for primary schools), Senior Lecturer IV, Deputy Head Teacher II, Special Needs Education Teacher I (for secondary schools) |
| C5 (T-Scale 10) | Senior Master III, Deputy Principal IV, Senior Lecturer III, Deputy Head Teacher, Head Teacher, Curriculum Support Officer II |
| D1 (T-Scale 11) | Deputy Principal III, Senior Master II, Senior Lecturer II, Curriculum Support Officer I, Senior Head Teacher |
| D2 (T-Scale 12) | Senior Master I, Deputy Principal II |
| D3 (T-Scale 13) | Deputy Principal I, Principals |
| D4 (T-Scale 14) | Senior Principals |
| D5 (T-Scale 15) | Chief Principals |
Decoding the New TSC Salary Scale
The Teachers Service Commission has released a circular outlining salary increases for different teacher job groups. The salary increment cuts across both primary and secondary school teachers, impacting job groups H, J, K, L, M, and N.
Unveiling the New Salary Structure
In 2016, a Collective Bargaining Agreement was signed, establishing a three-phase implementation cycle currently in its third phase. In addition to extending the TSC salary scale for trainers in T-Scale 13, T-Scale 12, and T-Scale 9, some allowances such as commuter, hardship, and annual leave have been revised. Here is an overview of the new salary structure:
| Job Title | Minimum Salary (Ksh.) | Maximum Salary (Ksh.) |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Principal | 165,089 | 200,928 |
| Senior Principal | 143,748 | 174,270 |
| Principal | 123,527 | 157,656 |
| Deputy Principal I | 113,923 | 139,914 |
| Deputy Principal II | 102,988 | 125,573 |
| Senior Master I | 98,309 | 119,859 |
| Deputy Principal III | 91,041 | 111,201 |
| Senior Master II | 87,912 | 108,242 |
| Senior Lecturer II | 83,938 | 104,644 |
| Curriculum Support Officer I | 79,694 | 99,080 |
| Senior Head Teacher | 76,527 | 95,020 |
| Deputy Head Teacher | 71,565 | 92,524 |
| Senior Lecturer III | 66,177 | 87,743 |
| Deputy Principal IV | 62,272 | 81,274 |
| Senior Master III | 58,171 | 75,692 |
| Head Teacher | 55,231 | 68,567 |
| Deputy Head Teacher II | 52,308 | 65,290 |
| Senior Lecturer IV | 49,821 | 62,659 |
| Special Needs Education Senior Teacher (for primary schools) | 47,057 | 59,286 |
| Secondary Teacher I and Senior Teacher I | 44,877 | 56,952 |
| Secondary Teacher II and Senior Teacher II | 35,927 | 45,110 |
| Primary Teacher I | 27,195 | 33,994 |
| Primary Teacher II | 21,756 | 27,195 |
READ ALSO:TSC TMIS Portal: How To Register, Login, Check Status And Submit TMIS Returns
Conclusion
The re-evaluation and subsequent adjustment of the TSC salaries and grading system has marked a significant milestone in the Kenyan education sector. The improved pay and well-defined grading system, rolled out in phases to accommodate budgetary constraints, symbolizes the victory of perseverance, notably for the Kenyan National Union of Teachers members. Now, more than ever, the teaching profession in Kenya shines brightly, promising a better future for teachers across the country. While there might still be room for improvement, it is evident that the efforts to ensure fair compensation for this noble profession are headed in the right direction.
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