The Teachers Service Commission will begin paying a TSC acting allowance — commonly called a special duty allowance — to about 99,000 teachers serving in administrative duties in acting capacity after the July budget. Parliament approved an amendment that caps acting periods, requires eligible appointments, and mandates allowances for teachers carrying out administrative roles.
Key Takeaways
- About 99,000 teachers in acting administrative roles are set to receive special duty allowances starting after the July budget.
- The acting period is capped at a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of six months; after six months the position must be filled substantively.
- Only teachers eligible for substantive appointment may act in a role (for example, only those who meet headteacher requirements may act as headteacher).
- Allowances affected include special duty, house, commuter, hardship, responsibility and transfer allowances; the Commission will consult the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to determine amounts.
- Unions have supported the change as a step to correct prolonged unpaid acting appointments and improve motivation and succession planning.
TSC acting allowance: What the bill says
The Teachers Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024, requires that teachers appointed to acting positions receive the allowances attached to those roles. The Bill states that a teacher may act in only one position at a time and must be eligible for appointment to the role they are acting in.
Sections of the amendment emphasize payment where qualified teachers are absent or where administrative duties are not commensurate with the teacher’s grade. The Bill also demands mandatory consultation between TSC and the SRC on remuneration structure and allowance rates.
Who qualifies for the allowance
Teachers who are currently performing administrative duties in an acting capacity and who meet the eligibility criteria for the substantive role qualify. Examples:
- A deputy teacher who meets headteacher appointment requirements may act as a headteacher and qualify for the acting allowance.
- Teachers seconded to administrative duties that are higher than their teaching grade or located in arid and semi-arid areas may receive hardship or special duty allowances.
The Bill also prohibits appointing unqualified teachers to act in positions they are not eligible for.
Allowances covered and payment timeline
The amendment formalizes several allowances: special duty, house, commuter, hardship, responsibility and transfer allowances, among others. While the Bill sets entitlement, the exact allowance amounts will be determined by TSC in consultation with SRC.
Payment is expected to commence after the July budget. The law caps acting periods between 30 days and six months; after six months the post must be filled substantively and the acting teacher becomes eligible for confirmation.
Implications for teachers and school leadership
This change addresses long-standing concerns about prolonged unpaid acting appointments. Expected benefits include:
- Improved morale for acting administrators receiving due compensation.
- Stronger succession planning as positions are required to be filled substantively after six months.
- Clearer accountability because acting appointments must meet eligibility rules.
However, implementation will require TSC to issue formal appointment letters and coordinate allowance rates with SRC to avoid disputes with teacher unions.
What affected teachers should do now
If you are in an acting role or expect to be appointed, take these steps:
- Confirm your eligibility for the substantive role and request formal appointment documentation from the sub-county or TSC office.
- Keep records of the acting start date and duties performed to support any allowance claims.
- Follow up with your union branch for guidance on timely implementation and any local processes.
- Prepare for promotion or confirmation by reviewing relevant study materials and past papers.
Useful resources for teachers
Teachers preparing for promotion interviews or upgrading qualifications can use past exam papers and curriculum resources to strengthen their applications and professional development. Relevant resources include the Diploma in Education past papers and the Bachelor of Education Arts past papers. For classroom and curriculum support, see the CBC curriculum designs and lesson-planning guides.
Final notes
The introduction of the TSC acting allowance is a significant policy shift that aims to reward teachers in acting administrative roles and reduce exploitation caused by unpaid temporary appointments. Teachers and administrators should monitor official TSC communications for implementation details, allowance rates, and instructions on claiming entitlements.
