Teachers’ 20pc raise closes three-year deal

Teachers were on Wednesday awarded 20 per cent pay increase with effect from month-end.

It brings the salary of the lowest paid teacher in public schools to Sh13,700 a month while the highest paid teacher will get Sh120,270 minus allowances.

But some teachers said the pay increase was far below the rise in cost of living.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing teachers conference in Mombasa, Mr Joseph Jilo from Kaufara Primary School in Lamu appreciated that the government has honoured its promise, but complained that the increment was delayed.

It will also be insignificant due to prevailing inflation. “The 20 per cent we agreed with the government in 2009 should have been increased to above 40 per cent to make some significance in our lives,” he said.

Mr Jilo said since the government has taken too long to increase the salaries they should immediately start negotiating a new pay increase.

Mr Gitonga Mbaka, a senior teacher at Kizurini Secondary School in Kaloleni, suggested that the government backdate the increment to 2009 when the pay agreement was signed.

Seeing the money

Mary Rasul of Mama Ngina Girls Secondary in Mombasa, said she would only believe they would get a pay rise when she sees the money.

“This can be mere public relations. Let’s wait and see if it will be reflected in our payslips,” she said.

Teachers Service Commission chairman Ibrahim Hussein told more than 10,000 primary school heads attending their conference in Mombasa that the increment wraps up the three-phase salary deal.

“As we come to the end of July, you have a 20 per cent increase to your salary. That is the agreement we reached with Kenya National Union of Teachers and other bodies. We are on course and we are keeping our promise.”

Mr Hussein said the conclusion of the agreement does not mean doors were closed on other matters affecting the welfare of teachers.

“Please take what is available for now, but the doors (for negotiations) are not shut. It will not be possible to conclude a salary deal on the floor of this conference. We must consult; we must dialogue; we must look at what the economy can afford.”

He asked the teachers to give back in kind by good performance in the schools. In the deal that became effective in 2009, the government agreed to increase teachers’ salaries over a three-year period.

Mr Hussein said, the government has in the last two years raised teachers’ pay by 40 per cent a year, and this year’s increment would be the last phase.

He also said the commission was negotiating with Knut and government departments on the teacher shortage.

“At the moment we have shortage of more than 61,000 and by next year we expect the number to pass 75,000. That is why we are negotiating with different people on how best to alleviate this shortage,” Mr Hussein said.

He reminded school heads that they are also gauged on teaching. “You are first and foremost teachers then the additional responsibility as managers,” he said.

Received complaints

Mr Hussein also said they have received complaints from the teachers over the new medical scheme, which is compulsory for all civil servants.

A way forward was being worked out. The TSC chairman also asked the government to allocate more funds for education programmes.