The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) will redesignate primary school heads of institutions, commonly called headteachers, as principals from 1 July 2027. The change comes with new Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) that will replace the 2018 framework. The date coincides with the start of the 2027/28 financial year.
What TSC has announced
TSC Commissioner Timon Oyucho announced the changes during Nyanza’s regional World Teachers’ Day celebrations. The new framework includes:
- A new title for school heads. Primary heads of institutions become principals.
- New grade names. Primary Teacher 2 becomes Teacher 9 and Primary Teacher 1 becomes Teacher 8. Senior teachers, deputy headteachers and headteachers move into the corresponding new grades.
- A classroom route to the top. Teachers who stay in the classroom will be able to rise to the chief principal grade, separate from the administrative track.
- A start date of 1 July 2027, once the required approval and implementation steps are complete.
Why headteachers have pushed for this
Under the current structure, a primary headteacher can progress only to job group D1. Principals sit at D2, senior principals at D3 and D4, and chief principals at D5. Primary heads have argued that running comprehensive schools, which combine pre-primary, primary and junior school, justifies a higher status. The Kenya Primary School Headteachers Association (KEPSHA) has lobbied for this for years.
The Education Cabinet Secretary has previously promised to review the request, and TSC has said related terms must be captured in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
What has not been announced
TSC has not said whether the new title comes with higher salary grades or allowances. It has also not published how current headteachers will be placed in the new structure or the date of final approval.
Until that detail is released, the redesignation should be read as a change of title and structure, not a confirmed pay increase.
What heads and teachers should do
- Read the final guidelines when TSC publishes them, rather than relying on summaries.
- Keep TPAD records and academic documents up to date, since promotion rules are expected to build on them.
- Confirm any circular on TSC’s official channels. Forged TSC documents circulate regularly.
Read Also: TSC New Career Progression Guidelines: Classroom Teacher to Chief Principal (2027 Reforms)
Frequently asked questions
Will every primary headteacher automatically get a pay rise?
TSC has not announced one. Salary treatment will depend on the final guidelines.
When does the change take effect?
On 1 July 2027, once approvals are complete.
Does this affect classroom teachers?
Yes. The new framework renames grades and opens a route to the chief principal grade without taking an administrative post.