Primary Teachers’ Silent Cry Over Salary Arrears
Thousands of P1 teachers with Advanced-level academic certificates who worked from 1996 to 2010 are today seeking justice and demanding the Kenyan government pay millions of shillings in salary arrears.
These teachers, who were promoted in 1996, are yet to get their advance compensation, and they have now petitioned the Senate to remedy the situation.
In this article, we will look at the context of the situation, the teachers’ demands, and the senators’ reactions.
The Plight of Primary School Teachers
The Teachers Service Commission‘s (TSC) Directorate of Personnel Management created a service scheme for non-graduate teachers in 1996, detailing the prerequisites for advancement.
Teachers affected by the current scenario were promoted as a result of these plans, but they have not received the necessary salary increases.
This disparity has prompted them to demand equal treatment and payment of their long-overdue arrears.
The P1 teachers have petitioned the Senate to summon the Teachers Service Commission and the National Treasury to address the issue of unpaid salary arrears.
They want to know why these arrears have not been paid, despite the norms of acceptable labor standards.
Speaker Amason Kingi read the petition in the Senate, emphasizing the teachers’ need for assistance and the recommendation to appropriate funds for the settlement of outstanding arrears.
Senators are outraged.
Senators have responded angrily to the instructors’ maltreatment and carelessness.
They claim that teachers are not just underpaid, but that the government also treats them unfairly.
Senator Ledama Olekina expressed his displeasure, citing teachers’ low starting salaries in comparison to other federal officials.
Senator Godfrey Osotsi of Vihiga reiterated these thoughts, urging the Teachers Service Commission to take responsibility and tackle the difficulties impacting P1 teachers as soon as possible.
“TSC should step in and resolve these issues.” We’ve had a number of incidents involving teachers… TSC, on the other hand, has heard nothing, seen nothing, and has done nothing,” Osotsi stated.
Senator Dan Maanzo of Makueni stressed the fundamental necessity that all Kenyans be treated fairly and equally.
To improve teachers’ welfare, he advocated for a review of the service scheme for all impacted teachers through public participation and collaboration with appropriate agencies.
Senator Esther Okenyuri expressed concern that these teachers had not earned their proper wage for several years following their promotion, emphasizing the need for the government to correct this injustice immediately.
Primary Teachers’ Silent Cry Over Salary Arrears
