Secondary school teachers given pay raise

“We do not begrudge teachers when they get any salary increase. Our problem is when it is done selectively,” he said on the telephone.

“We will continue to push for a comprehensive compensation for all teachers, not just a clique,” he added and promised to issue a comprehensive response after studying Kuppet-Government’s package.

Tuesday’s decision to have the salaries of secondary school teachers harmonised with those in the Civil Service will mean that about 160,000 teachers in primary schools may lose out, after their representative, Knut, rejected the offer.

The Government had offered Sh17.3 billion to increase the salaries of teachers. Primary school teachers were to get a 35 per cent raise, but Knut snubbed that.

On Tuesday, the Government said it was committed to resolving salary discrepancies among all its employees, including teachers.

The memorandum was signed by Education permanent secretary Karega Mutahi, TSC chairman Ibrahim Hussein and secretary Gabriel Lengoiboni.

It was witnessed by Ms Maureen Onyango of Federation of Kenya Employers, Mr William Mwangi, treasurer of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association, Mr Njeru Kanyamba and Mr Akelo Misori both of Kuppet.

It was signed at the office of the Chief Industrial Relations Officer Joseph Yidah at the National Social Security Fund, NSSF Building.
Accordingly, Prof Ongeri will now prepare a remuneration order to the Finance ministry directing that the salaries of teachers in post-primary institutions employed by the TSC be increased according to the terms of the agreement.

This move is likely to create a big wedged between primary and secondary school teachers. Most likely to be hard hit is the giant Knut, whose membership base and bargaining power is increasingly being gnawed away by Kuppet.