TSC Primary Teacher Salary Structure: Exploring Allowances and Grades

In Kenya, primary teachers are the backbone of the education system, nurturing young minds and shaping the future.

Understanding the salary structure for primary teachers under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is crucial for both aspiring educators and those already in the profession.

From the initial B5 grade to the esteemed D1 grade, this article will provide insights into primary teacher salaries, along with an exploration of essential allowances that contribute to their overall compensation.

Starting at B5 Grade

The journey for primary teachers typically commences at the B5 grade, which represents the entry-level position within the TSC salary structure.

At this level, teachers are entitled to a starting basic salary ranging from Ksh. 22,793 to Ksh. 28,491 per month.

However, it’s vital to note that this basic salary is complemented by various allowances, which significantly enhance the overall compensation package.

Advancing to D1 Grade

As primary teachers gain experience, expertise, and additional qualifications, they may progress to higher job grades within the TSC salary structure.

The pinnacle of this progression is the D1 grade, which corresponds to the senior headteacher position.

Senior headteachers at D1 grade enjoy a significantly higher starting basic salary ranging from Ksh. 78,625 to Ksh. 95,101 per month.

Primary Teacher Allowances

Primary teachers receive several allowances aimed at addressing the challenges and requirements of their profession.

Let’s delve into these allowances:

1. House Allowance

This allowance assists teachers in securing suitable accommodation.

The amount varies depending on factors such as job group and duty station location, ensuring teachers can afford decent housing regardless of where they teach.

2. Commuter Allowance

To alleviate transportation costs, primary teachers receive a commuter allowance.

 Particularly beneficial for teachers working in areas with high commuting expenses, this allowance ensures that educators can travel to and from their duty stations without financial strain.

3. Annual Leave Allowance

Teachers are entitled to annual leave allowances to cover expenses incurred during their time off.

This allowance enables teachers to enjoy their annual leave periods without worrying about financial constraints.

4. Disability Guide Allowance

Teachers who serve students with disabilities may receive a disability guide allowance.

This additional compensation acknowledges the extra effort and resources required to support students with diverse needs, ensuring inclusivity within the education system.

5. Hardship Allowance

Teachers stationed in remote or hardship areas may receive a hardship allowance.

This allowance recognizes the challenges faced by teachers working in such environments, providing them with additional compensation to offset these difficulties.

CONVERSION OF SENIOR MASTER II, DEPUTY PRINCIPALS III/ SENIOR HEADTEACHER/SENIOR LECTURER II
GRADE D1 – T SCALE 11
BASIC SALARY AS AT 30.06.2023			BASIC SALARY W.E.F 01.07.2023
SALARY POINTS	SALARY	ALLOWANCE GRADE	SALARY POINTS	SALARY	ALLOWANCE GRADE
1	77,840	D1	1	78,625	D1
	NEW		2	81,128	D1
	NEW		3	83,755	D1
2	85,269	D1	4	86,458	D1
3	87,900	D1	5	89,240	D1
4	89,748	D1	6	92,119	D1
5	90,612	D1
6	91,041	D1
7	93,408	D1	7	95,101	D1

TABLE 8: CONVERSION OF SENIOR MASTER IV/SENIOR LECTURER IV/ SENIOR TEACHER – SNE/SENIOR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER –  SECONDARY/DEPUTY HEADTEACHER II
GRADE C4 – T SCALE 9
BASIC SALARY AS AT 30.06.2023			BASIC SALARY W.E.F 01.07.2023
SALARY POINTS	SALARY	ALLOWANCE GRADE	SALARY POINTS	SALARY	ALLOWANCE GRADE
1	New		1	52,308	C4
2	52,308	C4	2	54,584	C4
2	55,604	C4	3	56,947	C4
3	56,347	C4	4	59,387	C4
4	58,482	C4	5	61,909	C4
5	60,698	C4
6	62,998	C4	6	64,527	C4
7	65,385	C4	7	67,220	C4

TABLE 9: CONVERSION OF SECONDARY TEACHER I/LECTURER I/ SENIOR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER – PRIMARY/SENIOR NEEDS TEACHER –  SECONDARY/SENIOR TEACHER I
GRADE C3 – T SCALE 8
BASIC SALARY AS AT 30.06.2023			BASIC SALARY W.E.F 01.07.2023
SALARY POINTS	SALARY	ALLOWANCE GRADE	SALARY POINTS	SALARY	ALLOWANCE GRADE
1	43,154	C3	1	44,412	C3
2	45,124	C3	2	46,645	C3
3	47,183	C3	3	48,966	C3
4	49,336	C3	4	51,383	C3
5	51,588	C3	5	53,896	C3
6	53,943	C3	6	56,514	C3

TABLE 10: CONVERSION OF SECONDARY TEACHER II/SECONDARY TEACHER II – LECTURER II/SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER – PRIMARY/SENIOR TEACHER II
GRADE C2 – T SCALE 7
BASIC SALARY AS AT 30.06.2023			BASIC SALARY W.E.F 01.07.2023
SALARY POINTS	SALARY	ALLOWANCE GRADE	SALARY POINTS	SALARY	ALLOWANCE GRADE
1	34,955	C2	1	36,621	C2
2	36,280	C2	2	38,299	C2
3	37,654	C2	3	40,051	C2
4	39,081	C2	4	41,879	C2
5	40,562	C2	5	43,786	C2
6	42,099	C2	6	45,776	C2
7	43,694	C2

TABLE 11: CONVERSION OF SECONDARY TEACHER III/LECTURER III/PRIMARY TEACHER I
GRADE C1 – T SCALE 6
BASIC SALARY AS AT 30.06.2023			BASIC SALARY W.E.F 01.07.2023
SALARY POINTS	SALARY	ALLOWANCE GRADE	SALARY POINTS	SALARY	ALLOWANCE GRADE
1	27,195	C1	1	28,491	C1
2	28,755	C1	2	29,797	C1
	NEW		3	31,160	C1
3	30,405	C1	4	32,581	C1
4	32,149	C1	5	34,065	C1
5	33,994	C1	6	35,614	C1

TABLE 12: CONVERSION OF PRIMARY TEACHER II
GRADE B5 – T SCALE 5
BASIC SALARY AS AT 30.06.2023			BASIC SALARY W.E.F 01.07.2023
SALARY POINTS	SALARY	ALLOWANCE GRADE	SALARY POINTS	SALARY	ALLOWANCE GRADE
1	21,756	B5	1	22,793	B5
2	22,749	B5	2	23,838	B5
3	23,787	B5	3	24,927	B5
4	24,873	B5	4	26,065	B5
5	26,008	B5	5	27,272	B5
6	27,195	B5	6	28,491	B5

APPENDIX A: – HOUSE ALLOWANCE
S/no	Grade	TSC Scale	CLUSTER 1     Nairobi City	CLUSTER 2   Mombasa,           Kisumu, Nakuru Cities, Nyeri, Eldoret,Thika, Kisii, Malindi and Kitale  Municipalities	CLUSTER 3   Other Former Municipalities	CLUSTER  4   All           Other Areas
1	B5	5	6,750	4,500	3,850	3,850
2	C1	6	10,000	7,500	5,800	5,000
3	C2	7	16,500	12,800	9,600	8,133
4	C3	8	28,000	22,000	16,500	14,055
5	C4	9	28,000	22,000	16,500	14,055
6	C5	10	35,000	25,500	18,000	16,184
7	D1	11	45,000	28,000	21,000	18,066
8	D2	12	45,000	28,000	21,000	18,066
9	D3	13	45,000	28,000	21,000	18,066
10	D4	14	45,000	28,000	21,000	18,066
11	D5	15	50,000	35,000	25,000	21,508

APPENDIX B:  HARDSHIP ALLOWANCE, COMMUTER ALLOWANCE, ANNUAL LEAVE ALLOWANCE AND DISABILITY GUIDE ALLOWANCE
Sno	Grade	Tsc Scale	Hardship Allowance	Commuter Allowance	Annual Leave  Allowance	Disability Guide  Allowance
1	B5	5	6,600	4,000	4,000	20,000
2	C1	6	8,200	4,000	4,000	20,000
3	C2	7	10,900	5,000	6,000	20,000
4	C3	8	12,300	6,000	6,000	20,000
5	C4	9	14,650	8,000	6,000	20,000
6	C5	10	17,100	8,000	6,000	20,000
7	D1	11	27,300	12,000	10,000	20,000
8	D2	12	27,300	12,000	10,000	20,000
9	D3	13	31,500	14,000	10,000	20,000
10	D4	14	31,500	14,000	10,000	20,000
11	D5	15	38,100	16,000	10,000	20,000

TABLE 1 – JOB TITLES AND SCALES
S/No.	TITLES	GRADE	T- SCALE
1.	Chief Principal	D5	T-Scale 15
2.	Senior Principal	D4	T-Scale 14
3.	Principal	D3	T-Scale 13
	Deputy Principal I
4.	Deputy Principal II	D2	T-Scale 12
	Senior Master I
	Senior Lecturer I
5.	Senior Master II	D1	T-Scale 11
	Deputy Principal III
	Senior Head teacher
	Senior Lecturer II
	Curriculum Support Officer I
6.		C5	T-Scale 10
	Senior Master III
	Senior Lecturer III
	Head teacher
	Deputy Head teacher I
	Curriculum Support Officer II
7.	Senior Lecturer IV	C4	T-Scale 9
	Senior Master IV
	SNE Senior Teacher – Primary
	SNE Teacher I – Secondary
	Deputy Head teacher II
8.	Secondary Teacher I	C3	T-Scale 8
	Lecturer I
	SNE Teacher I – Primary
	SNE Teacher II – Secondary
	Senior Teacher I
9.	Secondary Teacher II	C2	T-Scale 7
	SNE Teacher II – Primary
	Lecturer II
	Senior Teacher II
10.	Secondary Teacher III	C1	T-Scale 6
	Lecturer III
	Primary Teacher I
11.	Primary Teacher II	B5	T-Scale 5

Conclusion

In summary, understanding the salary structure and allowances for primary teachers under the TSC is essential for both educators and policymakers.

From the entry-level B5 grade to the prestigious D1 grade, primary teachers have the opportunity to progress in their careers and increase their earnings.

Moreover, the various allowances provided by the TSC ensure that teachers are adequately compensated for their dedication, hard work, and contributions to the education sector.

As we continue to support and value our primary teachers, we strengthen the foundation of our nation’s future.

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