Teachers’ Pay Increase Uncertain as Treasury Trims Sh10b from Budget
The proposal to increase teachers’ pay is currently in limbo due to the Treasury’s cut of Sh10 billion from the budget.
Teachers have expressed their opposition to the National Treasury’s decision to reduce the budget of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) by Sh10 billion.
Collins Oyuu, Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), stated that the reduction will have an impact on the implementation of the 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Union and TSC.
“The government has whittled down the TSC budget, which certainly would affect the implementation of the second phase of teachers’ CBA,” according to Oyuu in a press release. “The Treasury has reduced the TSC’s budget by Sh10 billion, from Sh357.7 billion to Sh347.4 billion, despite their persistent efforts to justify their budget needs.”
The CBA offers a remuneration increase ranging from 2.5 to 9%.
Additionally, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has mandated the immediate disbursement of overdue medical funds and the complete implementation of the CBA.
Akelo Misori, the Secretary General, recently stated that the agreement had undergone a complete legal process, including registration at the Employment and Labour Relations Court, despite the fact that it provided minimal benefits.
“This agreement, which provided teachers with meager compensation, underwent a complete legal process, including registration with the Employment and Labour Relations Court.” He asserted that the agreement’s benefits are irreversible, not subject to negotiation or withholding.
The 2015 contract with the TSC provided teachers with access to unlimited outpatient and inpatient services at select health facilities, as well as an annual maternity services cover of Sh120,000, an ophthalmic cover of Sh60,000, and a dental cover of up to Sh40,000.
Despite Parliament allocating Sh15 billion for the initiative, Misori contended that the government’s failure to remit premiums for more than six months precipitated the scheme’s collapse.
Knut is currently urging the Treasury to unconditionally restore the Sh10 billion in order to facilitate the second phase of the compensation increase.
“Teachers would not accept anything less than the second phase of the 2.5 to 9 percent salary increment awarded in 2023, as it would constitute a violation of their labor rights, a breach of contract, and an act of treachery,” stated Oyuu.
He emphasized that the teachers’ CBA should not be linked to the Finance Bill 2024, which was rejected by the public, or the Appropriation Bill 2024.
ALSO READ: Knut Insists on Full Salary Increase for Teachers Despite Budget Cuts
Dr. Nancy Macharia, the Chief Executive Officer of TSC, disclosed that teachers will be required to endure an extended period of waiting for the implementation of the CBA during her appearance before the National Assembly Committee on Education on Tuesday. Tinderet MP Julius Melly convened the committee.
“This reduction will impact the compensation of teaching service employees.” Consequently, the commission will be unable to execute the second phase of the CBA,” she stated.
Teachers hired before July 1, 2023, were to receive enhanced house allowances, particularly for those in cluster four, and increased earnings to offset the rising cost of living, in addition to a base salary increase of up to 9.5 percent.
Teachers’ Pay Increase Uncertain as Treasury Trims Sh10b from Budget
