Historic Policy Shift: Teachers Who Resign or Face Dismissal Now Eligible for Terminal Benefits
NAIROBI, Kenya — In a landmark development for the teaching fraternity, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has officially announced that teachers who exit the service through resignation or dismissal will no longer forfeit their terminal benefits.
This massive policy shift, formalized under Circular No. 12/2025 dated August 18, 2025, marks the successful implementation of key provisions within the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Under the leadership of Acting CEO Ms. Evaleen Jesang Mitei, the Commission has moved to rectify a long-standing grievance that previously saw exiting teachers lose their hard-earned pension and gratuity entitlements upon termination or voluntary departure.
Retroactive Eligibility: Who Qualifies?
The directive is not just for current or future exits; it carries significant retroactive weight.
According to Ms. Mitei, the policy is applicable to all teachers who exited the service on or after April 6, 2018.
This means that thousands of educators who left the profession due to resignation or dismissal over the past seven years are now legally entitled to initiate claims for their terminal benefits.
How to Initiate Your Claim
The TSC has streamlined the process, decentralizing the application flow to ensure that former teachers do not have to travel to Nairobi to lodge their claims.
Guidance: Affected individuals or their beneficiaries should visit their nearest TSC County or Sub-County Office to receive personalized guidance on the required documentation.
Submission: All completed document sets must be submitted through the respective TSC Sub-County Director.
Verification: Sub-County Directors will verify the accuracy and completeness of the files before forwarding them to County Directors, who will then submit them to the TSC Head Office for final processing and remittance via the National Treasury.
Required Documentation
The Commission has emphasized that accuracy in paperwork is critical to avoid processing delays.
For Ex-Teachers:
- Two photocopies of your National Identity Card (both sides).
- Two photocopies of your Bank Plate (ATM) or Sacco card.
- The “Lump Sum Gratuity” and “Option to Commute Pension” forms (in duplicate, duly completed).
- Two photocopies of your KRA PIN certificate and all applicable promotion letters.
- For male teachers employed before December 31, 2020: The earliest pay slip showing WCPS deductions.
- For those with Untrained Teacher (UT) service: An NSSF statement.
- Note: Sworn affidavits are mandatory if names differ across documents.
For Beneficiaries (In the event of a deceased ex-teacher):
- Original and two copies of the Death Certificate.
- An official letter from the Area Chief confirming next of kin, marital status, and a list of dependents with their ages.
- KRA PIN certificate of the next of kin/guardian.
- A completed Declaration Form (available at TSC offices, Huduma Centres, or the TSC Website).
- Certified copies of IDs for the next of kin, children, and the declarant (certified by the area Chief).
- Certified Birth Certificates for all children aged 24 and below, plus current school/college letters for those currently enrolled.
- Clear copy of the next of kin’s ATM card.
A Move Toward Professional Dignity
This policy change represents a major pillar of Ms. Mitei’s ongoing reforms at the TSC.
By decoupling terminal benefits from the “manner of exit,” the Commission is ensuring that a teacher’s years of service are respected as a vested right rather than a conditional privilege.
Former teachers are encouraged to begin the documentation process immediately, as the Commission and the National Treasury work to clear the backlog of claims dating back to 2018.