The employment of ECDE teachers by TSC is gaining attention as With early childhood education playing a vital role under CBC, many diploma holders are hopeful for its inclusion in the upcoming TSC hiring plans.

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For many years, county governments have been mandated to hire ECDE teachers. They have a specific mandate in all aspects of pre-primary education except teacher registration, which is a function solely reserved for TSC.

Most counties have not harmonised the salaries of ECDE teachers. In most countries, teachers are employed on contract rather than permanent and pensionable terms. Others serve under contracts renewable every two years.

To qualify for TSC employment, ECDE teachers must meet key criteria. The TSC requirements for ECDE teachers include a minimum of a Certificate in ECDE from a recognised institution, though a Diploma or Degree is preferred. Teachers must also be registered with TSC and provide academic documents, a valid ID, and a Certificate of Good Conduct.

After recruitment, teachers undergo a probation period before ECDE teachers' confirmation into permanent and pensionable terms. These steps are part of ongoing efforts under the employment of ECDE teachers by TSC 2025 to standardise and improve early childhood education in Kenya.

The salary amount an ECDE teacher will earn largely depends on the county’s remuneration formula. Most counties pay teachers between Sh 10,000 and Sh 20,000 monthly. In other countries, teachers are paid as little as Sh 10,000 per month.

Thanks to the ongoing reforms in the education sector, TSC can employ ECDE teachers. In 2014, KNUT moved to court and protested the county governments' action of directly employing teachers.

After a two-year standoff between the county governments and TSC, the court ruled in favour of the county governments and ordered TSC to register all teachers. KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion requested the governors to hand over the teachers they had recruited to TSC. This means that teachers will be employed on a permanent and pensionable basis.

The TSC registration for ECDE teachers is conducted at the county level. The TSC registration requirements for Teachers vary depending on the level of education. Here is a breakdown of the registration requirements.

• Mean grade C+ (plus) and above for University Diploma.
• Mean grade C Plain at KCSE and ECDE Certificate from KNEC.

• Mean grade D (plain) and above at KCSE, KNEC proficiency certificate, and an ECDE Certificate from KNEC.
• Minimum mean grade D+(plus) at KCSE and ECDE Certificate from KNEC.
• Minimum of CPE/KCPE plus ECDE Certificate from KNEC.

ECDE teachers' recruitment by TSC is already underway. TSC has developed a scheme of service for the teachers who will be posted to public schools. The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has stipulated how much money teachers should earn depending on their various levels of education.

According to the scheme, an ECDE teacher can be employed as an Assistant Teacher in Job Group F. An Assistant Teacher III is supposed to earn Ksh7,836 at minimum and Ksh8,717 at maximum.

This entry-level pay is reflected on the teachers' payslip, along with any applicable allowances and deductions. Higher qualifications lead to better pay figures under TSC terms.

On the other hand, diploma holders (Senior ECDE Teacher I) with 15 years of experience will earn Ksh 15,224 at the minimum and Ksh 19,064 at the maximum. The highest ECDE job group is Job Group R. Teachers will progress to the highest level after furthering their education and having demonstrated good leadership skills.

There is good news for ECDE teachers in Kenya as reforms take shape to improve their employment terms. TSC is expected to take over payroll duties from county governments, ensuring more consistent and timely payments. This move also paves the way for permanent and pensionable contracts, giving teachers greater job security.

The revised salary structure sets Assistant ECDE Teacher III (Job Group F) at Ksh 7,836 to Ksh 8,717, with more experienced diploma holders earning up to Ksh 19,064. These changes will be reflected in a more standardised teachers' payslip through the TSC system.

Teacher unions like KNUT and KUNOPPET continue to push for full TSC absorption, while the planned recruitment of over 26,000 teachers by September 2025 offers further opportunities. Overall, it's a promising time and truly good news for ECDE teachers in Kenya.

Some of the counties involved in ECDE recruitment in 2025 include Makueni County. Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has made significant strides in enhancing the standard of Early Childhood Education in Makueni by confirming 358 teachers to permanent and pensionable terms.

These 358 teachers, employed between 2014 and 2017, represent the first cohort to be converted to permanent terms. A second batch is expected to be confirmed by the start of the 2024/2025 Financial Year.

What are the grades of ECDE teachers?

The grading of ECDE teachers in Kenya is based on academic qualifications, experience, and job responsibilities. These grades are part of the Scheme of Service used to guide salary scales and career progression.

At the entry level, teachers with certificates are placed in Job Group F as Assistant Teacher III, earning a basic salary between Ksh 7,836 and Ksh 8,717. Diploma holders are graded higher, typically starting in Job Group H or J, depending on experience. With continued service and training, a teacher may rise to Senior Teacher I in Job Group K, earning up to Ksh 19,064.

The grading of teachers ensures clear career growth, where qualifications and years of service lead to promotions and better pay. These grades also align with efforts to professionalise the ECDE sector, especially under the upcoming TSC reforms.

While the employment of ECDE teachers by TSC is still under discussion, teachers are encouraged to upgrade to the diploma level and follow TSC updates. Being absorbed by TSC would offer greater job security and help strengthen early learning across Kenya.

Tuko.co.ke published an article about the new TSC salary scale and grading system for teachers. The Teacher Service Commission (TSC) manages the education system in Kenya and is responsible for recruiting, deploying, and managing teachers in public schools.

Teacher salaries and working conditions have been areas of concern, leading to periodic government negotiations and adjustments. Here is a breakdown of the new TSC salaries and grading system for teachers.

Source: TUKO.co.ke