TSC August Pay Raise Plus Arrears
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced a significant salary increment for teachers, which will be reflected in the August 2024 payroll. This increase is part of the second phase of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) 2021–2025, signed between TSC and teacher unions, including KNUT, KUPPET, and KUSNET. The adjustment will include arrears retroactive to July 1, 2024.
Key Details of the Salary Increment
TSC Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nancy Macharia, confirmed that the necessary funds have been secured for this salary adjustment. Consequently, teachers should expect to see these changes in their August pay slips, though the disbursement may be slightly delayed as the payroll adjustments are finalized. Dr. Macharia has urged teachers to return to work promptly for the start of the Third Term, despite the ongoing strike threats from teacher unions over unresolved issues.
Impact on Teachers
This increment comes after the first phase was implemented in July 2023. Teachers will receive arrears for the period starting July 1, 2024, reflecting the delayed salary adjustments. The pay increase is expected to be significant, providing much-needed financial relief to educators.
The salary adjustments vary depending on the teacher’s job group, with higher increments for lower job groups. For instance, teachers in the lowest job group, B5, will see their salaries increase from KSh22,793 to KSh23,830. In contrast, those in the highest job groups will see smaller relative increases, though their salaries will still be substantial, with amounts ranging between KSh131,389 and KSh162,539.
Housing Allowance and Other Benefits
The CBA also includes a review of housing allowances, categorized into four clusters based on the location of the teachers:
- Cluster 1: Nairobi City
- Cluster 2: Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika, Kisii, Malindi, and Kitale
- Cluster 3: Other former municipalities
- Cluster 4: All other areas
For Clusters 1, 2, and 3, the housing allowance rates were retained, while Cluster 4 rates were reviewed and will be implemented in two phases. The first phase was included in the August 2023 payroll, with arrears backdated to July 1, 2023.
Ongoing Discussions and Strike Notice
Despite the salary increments and the positive developments in other areas, the teacher unions, KNUT and KUPPET, have stated that their planned strike will proceed due to unresolved issues. These include the promotion of 130,000 teachers and the confirmation of 46,000 intern teachers.
However, the TSC has made progress in several areas, such as promoting 51,232 teachers through competitive processes and another 20,000 annually on common cadre. Additionally, the commission is working on reviewing the Career Progression Guidelines and ensuring that third-party deductions are up to date.
Conclusion
The TSC’s salary increment and the resolution of some key issues demonstrate a significant step forward in improving teachers’ welfare. However, the continued threat of a strike highlights that more work is needed to fully address the concerns of the teaching community. Dr. Macharia and the TSC have expressed their commitment to creating a conducive working environment for teachers and ensuring the smooth operation of schools as the Third Term of 2024 begins.
