Teachers recently promoted by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) will have to wait longer before they can begin earning salaries that correspond with their new job grades.
TSC promoted a total of 21,383 teachers following promotion interviews conducted in October 2025, with the successful candidates beginning to receive their posting letters and new work stations from January 2026.
However, despite assuming their new responsibilities in schools across the country, the affected teachers are unlikely to see adjustments in their pay immediately due to financial constraints currently facing the Commission.
The delay comes at a time when TSC is grappling with pending bills and financial obligations, which have affected several categories of teachers. A significant number of intern teachers deployed to schools in January are yet to receive their payments, raising concerns among educators about delays in remuneration.
Similarly, many teachers who were recruited on replacement basis earlier this year have also not received their salaries, further highlighting the financial pressure within the Commission. Replacement teachers are usually hired to fill gaps left by those who exit the service through retirement, resignation, or death, but their payments have also been delayed due to budgetary challenges.
The situation has forced the government to seek alternative measures to address the funding gap affecting key ministries and agencies. The National Government has since initiated a supplementary budget aimed at addressing financial shortfalls across several sectors, including education.
Despite the current delays, teachers who were promoted are expected to eventually receive the salaries attached to their new job grades. However, insiders indicate that the actual implementation of the new pay levels is likely to begin after the July budget, when additional funds may be allocated to support the changes.
The promotion of teachers has been a major policy focus under the administration of William Ruto, who has pledged to expand opportunities for career progression within the teaching profession. During a recent meeting with teachers at State House, the President announced that the government intends to increase the number of teachers promoted each year from 25,000 to 50,000.
To support this plan, the government also committed to doubling the annual allocation for teacher promotions, increasing it from Sh1 billion to Sh2 billion in order to facilitate more promotions and improve motivation among educators.
Meanwhile, the acting Chief Executive Officer of the TSC, Eveleen Mitei, has already presented the Commission’s Sh422 billion budget estimates for consideration by Parliament. The proposed budget outlines several priority areas aimed at strengthening the education sector and improving teachers’ welfare.
Among the allocations proposed in the estimates is Sh2 billion earmarked specifically for teacher promotions, which will support the government’s plan to increase promotion opportunities for educators across the country.
The budget also sets aside Sh7.2 billion to facilitate the conversion of 20,000 junior school intern teachers into permanent and pensionable employment, a move expected to provide job security and stability for many young educators currently serving on internship terms.
Additionally, Sh16.5 billion has been proposed to fund the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical cover for teachers, ensuring that educators and their dependents continue to access healthcare services under the government-backed scheme.
Over the past few years, TSC has significantly expanded teacher promotion opportunities. Records show that the Commission declared 14,034 promotions in December 2022, followed by 36,275 promotions in September 2023, 25,633 promotions in 2024, and 21,313 promotions in August 2025.
These promotions bring the total number of teachers promoted since President Ruto assumed office to 97,255, reflecting the government’s ongoing effort to improve career progression and motivation within the teaching profession.
However, the current delays in salary adjustments highlight the persistent funding challenges facing the education sector, even as the government continues to expand programs aimed at improving teachers’ welfare and strengthening the country’s education system.
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