TSC Releases Early October Salaries for Teachers Ahead of National Examinations
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced that teachers will receive their October 2025 salaries earlier than usual, a move aimed at facilitating their participation in the upcoming national examinations.
According to TSC, the October payroll was closed on the morning of October 15, 2025, allowing the commission to begin processing and wiring payments into teachers’ bank accounts. The early salary disbursement ensures that teachers can comfortably take up their invigilation and supervision roles during the KPSEA, KJSEA, and KCSE examinations, with KCSE rehearsals set to begin on October 17, 2025.
For teachers not involved in exam administration, the early payment will allow them to travel home early for the long holiday.
Although the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) later reimburses teachers for transport expenses incurred during the examination period, the payment typically comes after the exams are completed, marked, and results released.
Payroll Changes Ordered by the Head of Public Service
This early payroll processing also follows a directive from the Head of Public Service, Mr. Felix Koskei, requiring all government entities — including TSC — to submit payrolls to the National Treasury by the 20th of every month.
In a circular dated June 24, 2025, Koskei instructed Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and County Governments to process and finalize their payrolls by the 15th of each month to ensure efficient management of government payroll systems.
“To enhance efficiency, accuracy, and integrity of government payroll management — and to ensure timely remittance of statutory deductions such as PAYE, NSSF, HELB, NITA, pensions, and Social Health Authority (SHA) contributions — the government has revised the payroll closure deadline to the 18th of every month, effective immediately,” the circular read.
Koskei emphasized that strict adherence to the new schedule will help the National Treasury process exchequer requisitions on time and keep all public officers’ statutory deductions up to date.
Previously, teachers used to receive their salaries around the 26th of every month, but this has changed under the new system.
Updated TSC Salary Structure (2025–2029 CBA)
The 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) outlines the new salary structure and allowances for teachers in various job groups, ranging from Grade B5 to D5.
Below are the highlights of the new salary adjustments effective July 1, 2025:
Basic Salary (Sample Grades)
- Primary Teacher II (B5): Ksh 25,028 – Ksh 31,615
- Primary Teacher I (C1): Ksh 31,105 – Ksh 38,900
- Secondary Teacher II (C2): Ksh 39,070 – Ksh 49,100
- Secondary Teacher I (C3): Ksh 46,699 – Ksh 60,871
- Senior Master IV (C4): Ksh 56,922 – Ksh 70,923
- Deputy Principal III (D1): Ksh 79,215 – Ksh 97,104
- Chief Principal (D5): Ksh 132,365 – Ksh 163,758
Allowances Payable to Teachers
House Allowance
- Nairobi (Cluster 1): Ksh 6,750 – Ksh 50,000
- Major Towns (Cluster 2): Ksh 4,500 – Ksh 35,000
- Other Areas (Cluster 3): Ksh 3,850 – Ksh 25,000
Hardship Allowance
- Ranges from Ksh 6,600 (Grade B5) to Ksh 38,100 (Grade D5)
Commuter Allowance
- Between Ksh 4,000 and Ksh 16,000 depending on job group
Annual Leave Allowance
- Ranges from Ksh 4,000 to Ksh 10,000
Disability Guide Allowance
- Fixed at Ksh 20,000 across all grades
Baggage Allowance
- Paid per kilometer, varying between Ksh 43 and Ksh 80 depending on job group
The TSC’s decision to process October salaries early comes as a welcome relief to thousands of teachers across the country, ensuring smooth facilitation of the 2025 national examination cycle and compliance with new government payroll efficiency directives.
