Over 10,000 Teachers Exit TSC Payroll as Mass Retirement Takes Effect.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has retired 10,200 teachers who reached the mandatory retirement age as of 30th June 2025. The exit affects both classroom teachers and school administrators across the country, this is one of the biggest single day service separation in recent years.
According to TSC, compulsory retirement is when a teacher attains the age of 60 years. Teachers with disabilities are however retained until the age of 65 years. The Commission said the retirement has created big administrative and instructional gaps in many schools.
To cushion the effect of the mass exit, the Commission has promoted qualified staff to administrative positions previously held by the retiring cohort. TSC has also announced a mass teacher recruitment exercise that will start in September 2025. 24,000 new teachers will be employed this year to serve both primary and post primary institutions.
This was confirmed by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba during a speech at the opening of a retreat for public university council chairpersons held at Sarova Whitesands Beach Hotel, Mombasa, on 24th June 2025. Ogamba said the Government of Kenya under President William Ruto has employed 76,000 teachers since he took office.
“We will use what we have and operate within it. UNESCO recommends that countries should allocate 20% of their budget to education but we have already allocated 28%. We are beyond the UNESCO standards and we will use the resources optimally,” said Ogamba.
The TSC recognises the following ten categories of retirement or service exit:
Voluntary Retirement:
Teachers 50 years and above with 10 years of continuous service on Permanent and Pensionable (P&P) terms can apply for voluntary retirement. Three months’ notice is required.
Retirement on Medical Grounds:
Either initiated by the teacher or TSC, this retirement requires medical documentation and evaluation by the Director of Medical Services.
Retirement in Public Interest:
Based on the teacher’s utility to the teaching service and can be instituted by TSC in the interest of public service.
Resignation:
Teachers on P&P terms can resign with three months’ notice or payment of one month’s basic salary in lieu. Resignation does not qualify for pension benefits.
Resignation on Marriage Grounds:
Female teachers who have served for a minimum of five years on P&P terms can resign due to marriage. A marriage gratuity is payable, capped at one year of pensionable emoluments.
Termination of Service:
Service can be terminated with notice or compensation. Benefits vary depending on the terms of appointment.
Death Gratuity:
Payable to dependants of teachers who die while in service. Confirmation on P&P terms is required.
Killed While on Duty:
Compensation is provided to dependants if a teacher dies as a direct result of injuries sustained in the course of official duties.
Release to Other Organisations:
Applies to teachers appointed to serve in public institutions or non-profit educational bodies. Benefits are deferred until retirement from the new organisation.
Transfer of Service:
Teachers moving to other public service agencies can transfer their pensionable service to the new employing body upon successful application.
In anticipation of rising retirement numbers, National Treasury has implemented key pension reforms. From 1st July 2025, all gratuity payments will be tax free. The pension claims process is now fully digitised.
Retirees and dependants are required to self-register through National Treasury’s Pensions Department via eCitizen platform. The registration window was from 5th December 2024 to 28th February 2025 and targets the following groups:
- Retired State Officers
- Civil Servants
- Former TSC-employed Teachers
- National Police Service, Kenya Prisons and NYS Officers
- Military Personnel
Dependants of deceased pensionersYou will need a valid email address, phone number, KRA PIN and an eCitizen account. Additional documents are:
- National ID (front and back)
- Bank or SACCO ATM card (front with visible name and account number)
- Birth certificates for children
- Death certificates for deceased pensioners
- Tax exemption certificates for Persons With Disabilities (where applicable)
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The Treasury has said all pension claims under the new system will be processed online, with automated approvals and remote pension management for retirees.
TSC has reiterated its commitment to a smooth transition as retiring teachers exit the public service and new recruits take up their roles in the next term.
Over 10,000 Teachers Exit TSC Payroll as Mass Retirement Takes Effect.