- Teachers Service Commission has secured Sh8.4 billion for the second phase of the teachers’ CBA.
- A new promotion structure could reduce career progression timelines from 36 years to as low as 15 years.
- The current Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) will end in June 2026.
- TSC has allocated Sh2 billion to promote 30,000 teachers in August 2026.
- Plans are underway to absorb all 44,000 intern teachers into permanent employment by December 2026.
Thousands of teachers across Kenya are set to benefit from major reforms after the Teachers Service Commission confirmed it has secured Sh8.4 billion to implement the next phase of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) beginning July 1, 2026.
The funding update emerged during consultative talks between TSC and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers, popularly known as KUPPET, as discussions on salaries, promotions, and intern teacher employment continue.
Speaking on behalf of Acting TSC CEO Eveleen Mitei, the Commission’s Director of Legal Services Calvin Anyuor said engagements with the National Treasury are still ongoing to secure the remaining funds required for full implementation of the agreement.
According to TSC, the full cost of implementing the CBA stands at Sh16.8 billion after a directive that the agreement be rolled out in phases.
New Promotion System to Replace Current Guidelines
One of the biggest changes expected in the education sector is the planned replacement of the current Career Progression Guidelines (CPG), which many teachers have criticized for delaying promotions.
TSC confirmed that the current framework will officially expire in June 2026 and will be replaced by a new structure already approved by the Commission’s board.
The proposed model seeks to scrap the existing job group system and introduce a simplified Levels 1 to 6 structure aimed at speeding up career growth.
Under the current setup, some teachers take up to 36 years to climb to senior positions in Job Group D5. However, TSC says the new framework could reduce that journey to between 15 and 18 years.
The Commission is expected to release the proposals for public participation and stakeholder feedback in the coming weeks.
Sh2 Billion Promotion Boost
In another major development, TSC announced it has set aside Sh2 billion to facilitate the promotion of 30,000 teachers in August 2026.
The Commission also indicated it is reviewing affirmative action policies to support teachers who have remained in hardship and marginalized regions without promotions for extended periods.
TSC urged teacher unions to support localized promotion considerations meant to address long-standing staffing inequalities affecting disadvantaged areas.
Roadmap for Intern Teachers
The Commission also outlined plans to transition 44,000 intern teachers into permanent and pensionable terms in phases.
According to the roadmap:
20,000 intern teachers will be confirmed first.
The remaining 24,000 will be absorbed before December 2026.
The announcement is likely to bring relief to thousands of Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers currently working under internship arrangements across the country.
Debate Over Junior Secondary School Management
TSC also weighed in on the ongoing discussions regarding the management structure of Junior Secondary Schools.
The Commission advised unions to prepare formal proposals for Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba detailing the financial implications of creating a fully autonomous JSS system.
The debate comes amid concerns over proposals to merge capitation accounts for primary schools and JSS institutions under a single Board of Management.
KUPPET Pushes for Full Implementation
Even as union leaders welcomed the funding commitment, Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers maintained pressure on the government to fully honor the CBA without reducing negotiated benefits.
The union is also demanding:
- Immediate promotion of more than 135,000 stagnant teachers.
- Public release of the new promotion guidelines.
- Simultaneous confirmation of all 44,000 intern teachers.
- Full autonomy for Junior Secondary Schools.
With sweeping reforms now taking shape, Kenya’s education sector could be heading into one of its biggest transitions in recent years. The outcome of the ongoing negotiations is expected to significantly influence teacher welfare, promotions, and employment policies ahead of the next academic cycle.
