The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced a major policy change that will allow teachers who resigned or were dismissed from service to access terminal benefits, in a move expected to benefit thousands of former educators across the country.
The new directive marks a significant departure from the commission’s previous policy, which barred teachers who exited the profession through resignation or dismissal from receiving pension and gratuity payments. Under the revised framework, affected teachers will now be eligible for benefits provided they left service on or after April 6, 2018.
According to the commission, the policy changes are contained in Circular No. 12/2025 dated August 18, 2025, which implements provisions agreed upon under the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The directive applies retroactively, meaning teachers who lost their benefits over the last several years can now submit applications for review and processing. The decision is expected to resolve numerous pending welfare concerns that have affected former teachers and their families.
Acting TSC Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei directed all eligible former teachers, as well as beneficiaries of deceased teachers, to begin submitting their applications through TSC Sub-County offices.
“The commission is implementing the new provisions to streamline the management of teacher welfare and clear pending terminal benefits cases,” the circular stated.
TSC explained that the application process will begin at the Sub-County level, where documents will first undergo verification before being forwarded to County Directors and eventually to the commission’s headquarters for final processing through the National Treasury.
The commission emphasized that verification will be necessary to confirm eligibility, years of service, pension deductions, and supporting employment records before payments are approved.
The new development is likely to bring relief to many former teachers who had long argued that they unfairly lost access to benefits despite having contributed to pension schemes during their years of service.
Previously, teachers who resigned before retirement age or those dismissed from service due to disciplinary issues automatically forfeited access to pension and gratuity benefits under TSC regulations. The latest reforms now recognize prior service and pension contributions regardless of the manner in which a teacher exited employment.
To support the processing of claims, TSC has issued a detailed list of documents required from former teachers seeking the payments.
Applicants will be required to submit copies of their national identity cards, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) PIN certificates, bank or Sacco account details, pension and gratuity forms, and official employment records related to their service under the commission.
The commission further noted that additional documentation will be required depending on an applicant’s employment category and terms of service.
Male teachers employed before December 31, 2020, must submit their earliest payslip showing deductions under the Widows and Children Pension Scheme (WCPS). The requirement is intended to confirm pension contribution history and determine benefit eligibility.
Teachers who served under Untrained Teacher (UT) terms have also been directed to provide National Social Security Fund (NSSF) statements as part of the verification process.
TSC has also outlined separate requirements for beneficiaries applying on behalf of deceased teachers.
Such applicants will be required to provide death certificates, letters from area chiefs confirming dependents, certified identification documents, and birth certificates for children aged 24 years and below. The commission noted that these documents are necessary to confirm legal beneficiaries and avoid disputes during processing.
At the same time, TSC warned that incomplete or inaccurate documentation could delay processing timelines. Applicants have therefore been urged to carefully verify all paperwork before submission to avoid unnecessary setbacks.
Education stakeholders and teachers’ unions have welcomed the move, describing it as a progressive step toward improving fairness and welfare management within the teaching profession.
Many observers believe the policy could restore confidence among teachers by acknowledging their service contributions even after leaving employment under difficult circumstances.
The reforms are also expected to reduce the backlog of unresolved benefits disputes that have accumulated over the years, particularly among teachers who resigned voluntarily for personal reasons, health issues, or career transitions.
TSC has encouraged all eligible former teachers and beneficiaries to visit the nearest County or Sub-County office for personalized guidance on the application process, required documents, and timelines for submission.
The latest announcement signals broader efforts by the commission to strengthen teacher welfare policies and align employment practices with evolving labor and pension reforms in the public sector.
For thousands of former educators who had previously lost hope of recovering their benefits, the new policy now offers an opportunity to reclaim payments tied to years of service in Kenya’s education sector.