Intern and replacement teachers are set to receive the TSC March salaries after payroll closure on 17 March, with junior school interns due their unpaid stipends and replacement teachers likely to start receiving full pay this month.
Key Takeaways
- TSC March salaries payroll closed on 17 March to allow salary payments into teachers’ accounts.
- About 24,000 junior school intern teachers and 9,159 replacement teachers were recruited and posted in January.
- Junior school interns will receive their stipend and arrears; replacement teachers are expected to start getting full pay despite being on probation.
- Intern stipend is Ksh 20,000 gross (about Ksh 18,000 after deductions); replacement teachers receive full grade salaries and allowances once converted.
TSC March salaries: pay timeline and who benefits
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) closed the March payroll on 17 March to process payments. Both junior school intern teachers and replacement teachers were posted to schools in January. While only a few junior school interns were paid in February, a large number missed out and replacement teachers did not receive pay that month.
With the March payroll closed, the affected teachers should expect payments this month. Junior school intern teachers will receive their monthly stipend plus arrears for days worked in January. Replacement teachers — recruited on permanent and pensionable terms to fill posts vacated in 2025 — have a strong likelihood of starting to receive salaries in March even if still on probation.
Who are the interns and replacement teachers?
The Commission employed two main groups:
- Junior school intern teachers: 24,000 recruits on one-year internship contracts. They receive a monthly stipend rather than full TSC salary.
- Replacement teachers: 9,159 recruits on permanent and pensionable terms to replace teachers who left the payroll through natural attrition. These include posts for primary, junior and secondary schools.
Stipends, salaries and allowances
Pay and benefits differ between interns and replacement teachers:
- Junior school intern stipend: Ksh 20,000 monthly gross. After SHIF, housing levy and NSSF deductions interns take home about Ksh 18,000.
- P1 (Primary Teacher II) replacement teachers: Basic salary starts at Ksh 25,028 and can rise to Ksh 31,615. They also receive a commuter allowance (Ksh 4,000), annual leave allowance (Ksh 4,000 paid once in January), hardship allowance (Ksh 6,600 where applicable) and house allowance (varies by location).
- Graduate secondary teachers (Job Group C2): Basic salary starts at Ksh 39,070 up to Ksh 49,100. Commuter allowance is Ksh 5,000, annual leave allowance Ksh 6,000, hardship allowance Ksh 10,900 where applicable, and higher house allowances depending on the municipality or Nairobi.
Teachers working in cities such as Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and others receive enhanced house allowances compared with county or rural rates; Nairobi allowances are highest.
Employment terms, probation and promotions
Replacement teachers are employed on permanent and pensionable terms but serve a six-month probation before conversion to permanent status. Promotion paths are automatic after specified service periods:
- P1 teachers can be promoted automatically to job group C1 after three years of service.
- Diploma holders for junior and senior school positions were placed at job group C1 and will move to C2 after three years; graduate teachers started at C2 and will be promoted to C3 after the same period.
Note: the internship programme has recently been declared illegal by the Court of Appeal, which requires TSC to review the programme’s structure. This development may affect future contract terms for interns.
How arrears and leave entitlements work
Junior intern teachers who missed February pay are expected to receive arrears, including pay for January days worked. Replacement teachers who begin receiving pay will get the full salary package and allowances once their appointments take effect and after probation when applicable.
All TSC-employed teachers are entitled to standard leave types and allowances. Annual leave allowance is paid once in January. Leave categories include:
- Sick Leave
- Annual Leave
- Compassionate Leave
- Paternity and Maternity Leave
- Study Leave, Special Leave, Adoption Leave, and Spouse of Diplomat Leave
What teachers should do next
If you are an intern or replacement teacher:
- Confirm your payroll status with school administration and TSC payroll officers.
- Keep records of reporting dates and days worked to support arrears claims.
- Monitor TSC communications about probation, conversion and any changes following the Court of Appeal ruling on internships.
- Use available teaching resources to plan lessons while matters of pay are resolved; for CBC lesson support see free CBC exams and resources and CBC curriculum designs for planning and assessment materials.
Additional resources for classroom planning
Newly posted teachers can find revision and exam practice materials to support learners preparing for national tests, including past papers and topical revision for secondary students via the free KCSE revision exams. These resources help maintain classroom continuity while payroll and contract matters are finalised.
