TSC to Review Hardship Allowances July 2025
TSC to Review Hardship Allowances July 2025, The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has pledged to review hardship allowances and teacher disIn a significant move that could reshape teacher welfare in Kenya, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is set to review hardship allowances and the unequal distribution of teachers across schools. The announcement was made by the Commission’s acting CEO, Evaleen Mitei, during a recent session with the Parliamentary Education Committee.
Key Issues Under Review
Mitei was summoned to answer tough questions about longstanding concerns left unresolved by her predecessor, Dr. Nancy Macharia. Top among them is the glaring disparity in hardship allowances between teachers working in genuinely tough conditions in rural Kenya and their counterparts in more developed urban areas like Nairobi.
Lawmakers, led by Committee Chair Julius Melly and Siaya Woman Representative Christine Ombaka, questioned the logic behind existing hardship classifications. Ombaka pointed out that some teachers in urban centres such as Nairobi receive higher hardship allowances than those in remote areas that lack basic infrastructure like roads, electricity, or clean water.
“We must reconsider what defines a hardship area. It’s unacceptable that Nairobi teachers enjoy higher allowances while those in rural, underdeveloped regions continue to struggle,” Ombaka stated.
SRC, Treasury Hold the Key
In her defense, Evaleen Mitei clarified that TSC does not have the final say in hardship allowance policies. Instead, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and the National Treasury determine classifications and recommend the allowances.
“Our role is to recommend during Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations. But once SRC and Treasury issue advisories, they become binding,” Mitei explained.
Despite this, Mitei acknowledged the glaring disparities and committed to engaging the Public Service Commission (PSC) on the matter, stating:
“We will raise the issues of hardship and municipality allowances with the PSC for redress.”
Uneven Teacher Distribution Sparks More Questions
MPs also raised concerns about unequal teacher deployment. Cases were cited where some schools have an excess number of teachers while others operate severely understaffed. Teso MP Mary Emaase questioned the commission’s deployment criteria, calling for better workforce balancing.
“We must prioritize redistribution to address shortages where needed. Parliament can allocate resources for new recruitment, but TSC must first fix these imbalances,” she said.
This was echoed by MP Eve Obara, who noted that some schools lag behind in performance purely due to inadequate teaching staff.
Recruitment Criteria Under Scrutiny
Another issue raised was the transparency and fairness of the teacher recruitment process. Lawmakers demanded clearer guidelines on how teachers are selected and deployed.
Mitei assured the committee that the TSC follows constitutional and legislative guidelines and operates as an equal opportunity employer. She emphasized that the Commission remains committed to addressing teacher welfare concerns and improving staffing fairness.
Union Demands on the Table
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), led by Secretary General Collins Oyuu, has already submitted a list of unresolved issues to the new TSC leadership. A meeting is expected in the coming days to address pending concerns, many of which were neglected during the tenure of the previous CEO.
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