A Milestone for Teacher Welfare: TSC Grants Two-Hour Daily Break for Lactating Mothers
NAIROBI, Kenya — In a landmark move aimed at promoting the health and well-being of its workforce, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has introduced a transformative policy that grants lactating mothers in the teaching service a two-hour daily break to breastfeed their newborns.
This policy, which comes as a major relief for thousands of female educators, marks a significant departure from traditional administrative practices.
It underscores the Commission’s commitment to fostering a supportive work environment for new mothers as they navigate the demanding transition back to the classroom following maternity leave.
The 2025–2029 CBA Breakthrough
This new provision is a direct outcome of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), a landmark pact signed between the TSC and teachers’ unions.
The agreement was widely hailed by education stakeholders for its progressive approach to family-friendly workplace policies.
Beyond the two-hour breastfeeding window, the CBA significantly improved the leave entitlements for teachers:
Maternity Leave: Increased from the previous 90 days to 120 days, providing mothers more time to bond with and care for their newborns.
Paternity Leave: Increased from 14 days to 21 days, acknowledging the essential role of fathers in the early stages of child-rearing.
The addition of the two-hour breastfeeding period is seen as the “final pillar” in this suite of welfare improvements, ensuring that the support provided to new mothers extends well beyond their initial recovery period.
Official Guidelines for Implementation
The directive, outlined in a circular dated August 18, 2025, by TSC acting CEO Eveleen Mitei, provides a structured framework to ensure the policy is implemented uniformly across all schools while safeguarding the delivery of the curriculum.
According to the circular, the operational guidelines for the two-hour permission are as follows:
Duration of Support: Lactating mothers are eligible for the two-hour daily permission for a period of two months immediately following their resumption of duty after maternity leave.
Formal Approval: Teachers must apply for this permission in writing.
The request must be formally approved by the Head of Institution (HOI) to ensure proper record-keeping.
Leadership Accountability: For Heads of Institutions who are themselves lactating mothers, the application for this permission must be directed to their respective Sub-County Directors for formal approval.
Flexibility in Scheduling: The TSC recognizes that every school environment is unique.
Therefore, the specific timing of the two-hour break can be adjusted in consultation with the school management, allowing mothers to choose a time that aligns with their teaching schedule.
Minimal Disruption: The policy explicitly encourages collaboration between the teacher and the school administration to ensure that while the mother’s needs are met, there is minimal disruption to the curriculum delivery for students.
Promoting a Healthier Work-Life Balance
In her circular, acting CEO Eveleen Mitei highlighted that while the Code of Regulations for Teachers (2015) and the current CBA clearly outline the duration of maternity and paternity leave, the Commission felt compelled to go further.
“The Commission is committed to supporting the health and well-being of our teachers with specific reference to new mothers,” the circular noted.
By providing a two-hour grace period, the TSC acknowledges that the transition from full-time maternity leave to a full-time teaching workload is physically and mentally taxing.
This policy is specifically designed to facilitate a smoother, more sustainable return to professional duties.
A Positive Response from the Field
The teaching fraternity has largely welcomed the move as a long-overdue victory for gender equity in the profession.
Female teachers have frequently pointed out the difficulties of maintaining exclusive breastfeeding while managing large classrooms and extracurricular responsibilities.
By providing a structured, sanctioned break, the TSC is not only complying with international best practices regarding maternal health but is also setting a standard for other public service sectors in Kenya.
As the implementation of the 2025–2029 CBA continues, this policy serves as a testament to the power of structured union negotiations to improve the daily lived experiences of educators.
For the new mothers now returning to schools across the country, this two-hour window provides more than just extra time—it provides the peace of mind necessary to excel both as dedicated educators and as nurturing parents.
