Teachers in Difficult Areas Request 40% Allowance
Teachers working in challenging circumstances have requested that 40 percent of their basic pay be added to their hardship allowance.
These teachers, who are affiliated with the Kenya Teachers in Hardship and Arid Areas Welfare Association (KETHAWA), are requesting a change to the upcoming collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) that will be signed prior to June 30, 2025, to include the aforementioned allowance.
KETHAWA currently observes that the hardship allowance given to teachers in remote and arid areas does not adequately address their needs.
The association claims that it is the only allowance that specifically addresses the miserable circumstances in which teachers work, including insecurity in certain areas, isolation, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of essential services.
Teachers state that the policy does not reconsider the grant, thus they will still be discriminated against depending on their posting location.
Their colleagues who work in more conducive settings do not have the extra hardships associated with teaching in remote areas and instead enjoy better circumstances.
KETHAWA is calling on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the appropriate government bodies to give their appeal serious consideration and make sure the new CBAs accurately reflect the challenges faced by educators in difficult areas.
According to the lobby, increasing the hardship allowance will not only encourage fairness but also inspire teachers to stay in these challenging positions for improved educational outcomes and service delivery in underserved areas.
Negotiations for new terms are now underway as the existing CBAs are set to expire on June 30, 2025. The instructors are, however, optimistic that all of their requests will be fulfilled before the due date.
