A recent review of the salary increment structure under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has seen teachers across Kenya set to receive a modest raise. The new increment, part of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) captured for July and August, will see teachers earning between Ksh.1,000 and Ksh.3,000 more per month. However, lingering issues such as pending promotions and hardship arrears have yet to be fully addressed.
While many teachers are anticipating this much-needed pay boost, others continue to face financial challenges. Intern teachers, some of whom missed their salaries for May, June, and July, remain excluded from the August payroll. The omission has further complicated an already tense situation within the education sector.
According to sources close to the matter, the new salary adjustments come as part of the broader CBA implementation, designed to address disparities within the profession. While the salary increase provides some relief, it falls short of expectations for teachers, especially those facing delays in their promotion and hardship allowances. “We were hoping for more significant reforms,” one teacher remarked, citing the increasing cost of living as a primary concern.
Unresolved Issues
Although the CBA captures some of the financial benefits promised to teachers, unresolved issues continue to sow discontent. The delayed promotions are a key point of concern, with many teachers awaiting advancements in their professional grade—a move that would come with higher pay and benefits. Similarly, hardship arrears have not been paid in full, leaving teachers in challenging regions feeling particularly marginalized.
The situation is particularly dire for intern teachers, many of whom were hopeful that the new payroll would rectify the months of unpaid salaries. Their exclusion from the August payroll has sparked frustration and calls for immediate action. “We have bills to pay, just like everyone else,” one intern teacher said, adding that the uncertainty over when they will receive their due payments has caused considerable distress.
KUPPET Strike Reaches Day Four
The ongoing strike by members of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has further heightened tensions. As the strike enters its fourth day, the union continues to push for better working conditions and pay for its members. The government has yet to offer a concrete solution, and as the strike drags on, the impasse is affecting schools across the country.
Union leaders have called on the government to address the issues surrounding delayed promotions and hardship allowances as a matter of urgency. KUPPET maintains that the strike will continue until these grievances are resolved.
The strike comes at a crucial time for the education sector, with schools preparing for end-of-year exams. Prolonged industrial action could disrupt the academic calendar, raising concerns among students, parents, and education stakeholders.
Government Response
So far, the government has expressed a commitment to addressing the issues raised by the teachers and their union, but no clear timetable has been provided. The Ministry of Education and the Treasury are reportedly in talks to expedite the release of funds to cover the pending payments.
While there is some progress on the salary front, with teachers seeing incremental increases, the broader picture remains one of dissatisfaction. For many teachers, the salary bump is a temporary fix, rather than a solution to the deeper issues plaguing the education sector. As the strike continues, the focus will likely remain on whether the government can meet the demands of KUPPET and ensure that the financial welfare of all teachers, including interns, is fully addressed.
In the coming days, all eyes will be on the negotiations between the government and the teachers’ unions, with the hope that a resolution will be reached before further disruptions occur.
