TSC invites teachers to talks on new pay deal

TSC Ag. CEO Eveleen Mitei before Education Committee of Parliament on June 19, 2025 [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has invited the teachers' unions to the negotiation table for the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

This signals the beginning of talks that could reshape the remuneration and working conditions of post-primary teachers for the next four years.

The talks come at a time of increased scrutiny on public sector wage bills and growing discontent among teachers over the cost of living and career stagnation with TSC seeks to harmonize demands from both primary and secondary school teachers.

In a letter dated June 24, 2025 sent to Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and seen by the Standard, TSC Ag. CEO Eveleen Mitei has invited the union to participate in the consultative meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 10.00am.

The meeting will be held at the Commission chairman's boardroom at the TSC headquarters in Nairobi.

"The Commission invites you to a consultative meeting on CBA 2025-2029 on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 10.00am at the Commission chairman's boardroom," Mitei stated in the letter.

The meeting follows mounting pressure from teachers' unions for the government to cushion educators against the high cost of living, stagnated promotions, and what they describe as widening salary disparities across job groups.

Last week, KUPPET had issued a 7-day ultimatum to TSC to initiate negotiations, warning of possible nationwide strikes.

"We don't want our members overexposed. If TSC fails to act, we will withdraw labour," said Misori.

KUPPET is pushing for 100 percent basic pay rise for lower job groups, 50 percent rise for higher cadres, 20 percent increase in house allowance, 100 percent hardship and 250 percent commuter allowance hike, introduction of overtime, risk, and hazard allowances.
They're also advocating for teachers to start at Grade C1, instead of B5, and for career progression reforms.

Reacting to the invitation, KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori, welcomed the gesture but called on the TSC to demonstrate genuine commitment to addressing the long-standing concerns of teachers.

"We are ready to engage constructively with the Commission, but we expect these talks to go beyond formality. Teachers are demanding a meaningful package that reflects the realities of the current economy," said Misori.

The upcoming negotiations are expected to focus on salary increments, better medical coverage, improved promotion criteria, and workload adjustments, especially for tutors handling CBC transition classes.

The last CBA (2021-2025), which was signed in 2021, focused more on non-monetary benefits due to financial constraints posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a situation KUPPET says should not be repeated.

"As we enter these talks, we do so with one clear message: teachers have waited long enough. This time, we need results," Misori added.