Teachers Unions Express Displeasure over Flat Rate Salary Deductions
The Teachers Service Commission, which is constitutionally tasked with registering, hiring, promoting, and exercising disciplinary control over teachers, recently made a surprising move by reducing the July salaries of teachers by a fixed amount of KSH 320.
This decision has left many teachers disheartened, especially those who were anticipating a salary increase promised by President William Samoei Ruto on June 30. Unfortunately, the delay in reviewing the pay by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has caused a postponement in implementing this promised raise.
As reported by the Daily Nation, the SRC has completed the public participation exercise and is preparing to gazette the reviews, allowing government ministries, departments, and agencies to adjust salaries accordingly. Additionally, the deduction of KSH 320 towards the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) came as a surprise to teachers who were already contributing to the Public Service Superannuation Scheme, especially after the government eliminated free pensions.
It remains unclear why the Teachers Service Commission opted for this specific deduction when the minimum payable amount to NSSF is KSH 600, previously pegged at KSH 200.
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Notably, teachers were exempted from the 1.5 percent affordable housing deductions pending the outcome of a case filed against the Finance Act 2023. In response to these deductions, Edward Obwocha, in charge of secondary teachers at the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), expressed that the union would not contest the deductions if the planned 10 percent increment in salaries is implemented. Obwocha mentioned that negotiations with the TSC are ongoing to address the high inflation rate and potentially raise commuting allowances, considering the reviewed fuel costs.
These developments raise important questions about the financial stability and well-being of teachers in Kenya. Share your thoughts and comments on this matter on our comments platform.
Teachers Unions Express Displeasure over Flat Rate Salary Deductions
