Tag Archives: LATEST TSC NEWS 2021

TSC intern teachers cry foul after their salaries were slashed

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has come under intense criticism after it emerged that intern teachers’ May, 2020 salaries were slashed to cater for union dues. The teachers who are working on contract with the teachers service commission (TSC) cried foul after the employer deducted Sh270 in form of union dues.

This latest deduction has seen the pay for the interns drop to even lower levels; considering they earn a meager monthly gross pay of Sh15,000.

It is the silence from the Kuppet top brass that has annoyed the affected teachers who are agitating for reimbursement of the deducted amounts.

But, a quick fact check shows that Kuppet did not sanction for the deductions. The move is as a result of the llabour relations laws that compel the employer to slash a certain amount from employees. This amount is referred to as agency fee. Agency fee is a new concept in Kenya having been introduced by the Labour Relations Act, 2007. This is a sum paid out to a trade union by non union-members, for benefiting from a negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement.  The Cabinet Secretary (in charge of Labour) has to authorize such deductions. The money is meant for negotiating a contract, representing employees in grievances and arbitration, and lobbying activities to foster collective bargaining negotiations or secure advocates.

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Currently, non Knut members pay two per cent of their basic salary as agency fees while Kuppet members part with 1.5 per cent.

STATUTORY DEDUCTIONS

The deduction of Sh270 from the secondary schools’ intern teachers represents 1.8% agency fee deduction; which is above the 1.5% that kuppet agreed to take during the signing of the current collective bargaining agreement  (CBA).

A secondary school intern teacher loses a further Sh200 to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), monthly. Another Sh600 is also slashed towards the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) which is statutory deduction affecting all government employees.

It now remains to be seen as to whether Kuppet will refund the deducted amounts in coming days.

Do not touch teachers’ pay- Govt warned

The government has been warned against any attempts to slash teachers’ salaries. Also receiving a red alert are the owners to private schools in the country. While addressing the press during the launch of a report on mitigation measures and recommendations on reopening of learning institutions, on Wednesday, knut secretary General Wilson Sossion said teachers’ salaries shall continue to remain intact.

“Salaries of teachers must be protected. No one, whether government or private entities, should use Covid-19 to hold the salaries of teachers,” Sossion said.

This comes even as uncertainty reigns supreme on the exact dates when schools are going to be reopened. This is after all learning institutions were closed in mid-March after Kenya reported the first case of Covid 19.

Most teachers employed by the schools’ boards are yet to receive a penny for the last couple of months with the schools facing a financial crunch due to the cut in cash flow.

“The last salary I received was in the month of February. I have rent arrears and a family to feed. If this condition persists, then Am seeing a situation where I may face starvation. I have tried to reach the principal. His calls went unanswered before he switched off his phone completely,” said one high school teacher working on BOM terms and who decided to remain anonymous.

Most schools, if not all, have sent their staff on unpaid leaves since they can not meet their monthly wages’ demands. Teachers employed by TSC continue to receive their full salaries as they are on indefinite leave. Read full news here; All teachers given indefinite leave by TSC over Corona Virus Disease.

Education CS Prof George Magoha speaks after receiving the interim report from the national covid-19 education response committee. Magoha asked parents to prepare to stay home with children for much longer as schools will only re-open when Kenya has contained the COVID-19 pandemic.

Things aren’t any better for private schools, that solely depend on school fees from learners to support their operations. And with schools closed parents have been up in arms against private school administrators whom they accuse of exploitation. This is after some schools directed the parents to pay school fees in full.

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On Friday CS Magoha waded into the row between private schools and parents advising the latter to pay fees so as to support operations at the schools.

“It was your choice to take your children to the private schools let the parents negotiate with the teachers on the charges; otherwise the private school sector will collapse…If private schools collapse all those children will come to public schools, therefore parents talk to the schools and work around how you will keep the schools open and supporting the economy.” he observed.

The government has since been urged to classify teachers and other education workers as vulnerable so as to receive stipend as other vulnerable groups do; through the cash transfer programme. Education stakeholders who met Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Matiang’i this week also urged the government to offer soft loans to education institutions during the current covid-19 pandemic period.

With schools’ reopening not expected any time soon, teachers on BOM terms and their counterparts in private schools should brace for more tough times ahead; unless the government chips in.

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Delocalized, transferred teachers per County in December, 2019- Kisii

The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, has effected the December 2019 delocalization exercise for school heads. In Kisii County, a total of fifty (50) teachers have been moved to neighbouring counties. The handing/ taking over exercise for the administrators is expected to be completed before schools open for first tern on January 6, 2020.

Those moved are heads and principals and their deputies serving in their home counties and those who have served in the same station for a long period. Also on the move are new administrators who were appointed after the just concluded interviews .

Teachers with medical conditions have been spared from the ongoing delocalization exercise. Also spared are teachers aged above 56 years and those set to retire.

The Commission kicked off the delocalization exercise in January, 2018. Other massive deployments would then follow in April, August and December of the same year. Though in April, 2019 the Commission slowed down the transfers as only a handful administrators were moved.

 For complete information on all schools in Kenya, including best private and public schools, please visit this link:

KISII COUNTY DELOCALIZATION LIST

Here is the list of affected schools in Kisii County:

S/NO. SCHOOL OF ORIGIN SUB COUNTY SCHOOL TRANSFERRED TO COUNTY
1. Riabamanyi Kisii Central Bonchari Nyamira
2. St. Lawrance Kiongongi Kitutu Central Kamwala Homabay
3. Masongo Kisii Central Motiret Bomet
4. Bogiakumu Kisii South Metamaywa Nyamira
5. St. Patricks Mosocho Kitutu Central Onyalo Mixed Migori
6. St. Vincent De Paul Nyanko Kisii Central Rabuor Kogelo Migori
7. St. Lukes Kanunda Kitutu Central Kuywa Friends Bungoma
8. Nyansira Sda Kisii Central Borangi Sda Nyamira
9. Iyenga Kenyenya Njoguini Nyeri
10. Borangi Sda Nyamache St. Josephs Kemasare Nyamira
11. Nyaimera Gucha South Kipsingei Bomet
12. Itumbe Dok Nyamache Nyandenda Homabay
13. Amariba Kisii Central Kapoleseroi Bomet
14. Nyaguku Dok Sameta St. Sabinius Owich Migori
15. Omobera Girls Kenyenya Lwanda Magwar Migori
16. Kabigoria Gucha South Nyankore Migori
17. Keberesi Kenyenya St. Pauls Gekano Nyamira
18. St. Augustine Genga Kisii South Ntimama Sec. Narok
19. St. Peters Suneka Kisii South Muhoroni Kisumu
20. Kebabe Sda Kenyenya Nyamusi Girls Nyamira
21. Keore Sec. Kitutu Central Jemovo Vihiga
22. Getai Sda Nyamache Holo Kisumu
23. Musa Nyandusi Gesicho Masaba South God Bura Homabay
24. Riotero Sec. Kitutu Central Olare Sec Homabay
25. Nyaura Kisii Central Kiptenden Kericho
26. Queen Of Apostle Kanyimbo Kitutu Central Kapset Bomet
27. Buyonge Sec Gucha Senye Migori
28. Nyanguru Kisii Central Omware Migori
29. Kiamabundu Kisii Central Mori Migori
30. Emesa Kenyenya St. John Komolo Rume Migori
31. Itibo Girls Marani Duchi Girls Homabay
32. Nyakorere Pag Kenyenya Wayara Homabay
33. Nyango Gucha South Sugumegas Bomet
34. Nyaibate Kenyenya Kiembe Homabay
35. Maroo Esinde Gucha South St. Joseph Miranga Homabay
36. Mobirona Kenyenya Nyenga Homabay
37. Tendere Boys Gucha Motosiet Trans Nzoia
38. St.Joseph Matibo Mukasa Masaba Chiga Mixed Homabay
39. Matagaro Gucha Nyakango Homabay
40. Engoto Marani St. Nicansius Maranyona Homabay
41. Sameta Mixed Sameta Mobirona Kisii
42. Sosera Sda Masaba South Langi Mixed Homabay
43. Getuki Sec Gucha St. Joseph Kemasare .
44. Nyatwoni Gucha South Chemoiben Kericho
45. Nyabinyinyi Kenyenya Tinderet Nyamira
46. Matibo Masaba South Kamarus Kericho
47. Nyankononi Masaba South Magire Kericho
48. Kioge Girls Kitutu Central Magina Homabay
49. Chibwobi Masaba South Gogkatuma Homabay
50. Mosora Gucha Palamasogo Homabay

FOR A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ALL SCHOOLS IN KENYA CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW;

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How a teacher can claim the Medical expenses/ Costs from the Teachers Service Commission

Hospital charges are reimbursed to teachers who incur medical bills in respect of self, spouse and children less than 22 years at the prescribed rates. Application is made on prescribed form (TSC MED. 3) and attaching original receipts.

Ex gratia

  • This is payable to teachers who incur in-patient medical bill and in the opinion of the commission requires such assistance to enable him/her overcome the financial hardships.
  • A teacher should apply in writing attaching a copy of hospital invoice and medical reimbursement voucher.
  • The amount payable is net medical bill less 25%, subject to availability of funds.
  • The approval for payment is done twice a year – June and December.

TSC now goes paperless, unveils new communication online platform for teachers

The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, has moved to provide most of its services via its online platform. Teachers seeking transfers will now file their applications online as opposed to the manual application process. Other services that have been fully made available online are applications for promotions and new teacher registration.

These latest developments come at a time when TSC has completed digitizing teachers’ documents.

In its 2019-2023 Strategic Plan, the Commission identified Reforms and Innovation in the provision of teaching services as its strategic focus area aimed at improving service delivery to its employees and stakeholders. In this regard, the Commission has successfully migrated services related to recruitment and promotions of teachers to an online system.

Accordingly, there will be no manual applications for recruitment and promotion of teachers with effect from 1 st March, 2021.

Consequently, applications for transfer shall be accessed through the Commission’s website at www.tsc.go.ke as per the attached schedule while the mode and manner of application for both recruitment and promotion will be communicated in the adverts whenever there is a vacancy.

Further, the Commission has introduced an e-platform for official emails, virtual meetings and remote learning. The platform targets all teachers employed by the Commission and those undergoing internship programmes.

The new platform will be used in the following instances: –

  • For official communication between the Commission and teachers including transmission of official letters, Circulars, Pay-slips and responses to teachers’ inquiries among others.
  • To promote the usage of e-learning at no cost.
  • To support and promote the usage of virtual meetings. Institutions can therefore use the platform to hold virtual meetings while teachers will be able to create peer groups to carry out learning activities including mentoring and coaching.

See also; TSC online portal; https://teachersonline.tsc.go.ke/

Implementation Process

All Heads of Institutions and teachers including those on internship are required to activate their email accounts provided on the platform and use it for all communications to the Commission. The official email will take the format of the teacher’s name, the last two digits of the TSC number @mwalimu.tsc.go.ke.

The detailed procedure on how to activate the system can be accessed through the Commission’s website.

The Commission’s ICT field officers will be available to assist in the activation of the accounts. Heads of Institutions may use the ICT champions to sensitize teachers in their institutions and provide any needed technical support.

In addition to an official personal account, heads of institutions are to open a separate head-of-institution email. This address will be available to subsequent heads of institutions for continuity.

Heads of institutions shall update the teachers official email address and registered personal mobile phone number in the Teacher Management Information System (TMIS) within 30 days after all teachers in the institution have activated their emails.

Further, users may seek help on activation of the email, virtual meetings and remote learning through the following address; emailactivation@tsc.go.ke. All other normal queries and/or issues, to be sent to info@tsc.go.ke.

Effective Date

The exercise of activating the emails takes effect from 15th February, 2021 and will close on 30th April, 2021. Upon the expiry of the registration window, all emails outside the e-platform shall not be acted upon.

Remember to get all TSC news here; TSC News Portal.

How to carry out Lesson Observation on the new TPAD 2 portal

Lesson observation is a mandatory requirement in the new TPAD 2 system by TSC. All teachers must undergo lesson observation while delivering in class. It involves carrying out a formal scrutiny of teaching/learning while it is taking place in a classroom or other learning environment.

How to undertake Lesson Observation in the TPAD 2 Online System

The lesson Observation tab can be found under the self appraisals tab for the appraisees, once you log in.

You can send the appraiser a request to be observed by clicking on ‘REQUEST OBSERVATION’ tab.

A message requesting for the lesson observation would be crafted. Once the message is crafted, you are required to send the request. This will appear in the notification part of the of your window.

How the Appraiser will carry out Lesson Observation.

Once logged in, the appraiser can access 3 areas:

  • My lesson Observation,
  • Create Lesson Observation and
  • New Observation.

Now, proceed as follows;

  • The appraiser is required to Click on the ‘New Observation’ tab.
  • Once the appraiser clicks the new Observation tab, a pop up page will appear.
  • The appraiser is required to click on New Record whereby he/she will be required to add data on: Class/Form, Subject, Subject Topic, Lesson Topic, Number of Learners and Observation Date. Click on ‘Add record’ when done.
  • Locate the ‘OBSERVE’ tab on the page. Click the tab and complete the lesson observation sheet, online. When filling in the Observer’s Comment avoid word like good, excellent etc. Rather, describe what is observed in each area.
  • Next, fill in the Observer’s Summary Report that provides a brief version of what the observer has noted. Another area to be completed is the Observer’s recommendation that shows the strengths and gaps that have been observed.
  • Click on ‘Save observation marks’ to upload the record.
  • Once data is saved successfully, the status of the observation on the page will change to “COMPLETED”.
  • With this, you will be sure that the Lesson observation has been successful.

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TSC change of salary Pay-Point for teachers

The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, releases your salary through the preferred/ selected bank or Sacco. For the teacher to receive the monthly salary he/she must have a bank/ Sacco account. The Commission gets these details once you fill the TSC Bank Form. 

The TSC Bank Form is filled when a teacher is first employed and is sent together with other documents to the head office; after TSC interviews. A teacher may also wish to change the paypoint at any given time.

HOW TO CHANGE TSC SALARY PAY-POINT FOR TEACHERS

You may change your paypoint as often as you may like. For your salary to be diverted to the new bank/Sacco account, then you must;

  • First download the TSC Bank Form and Print it.
  • Fill in the paypoint form correctly and have it certified by your Principal/ Head Teacher. The TSC County or Sub County Director sign the Principal/ Head Teacher’s bank form.
  • Photocopy your new bank/Sacco account plate (ATM Card) both sides. This is the new account where you want your salary to be channeled to. Make sure the copy is clear and must also be certified by your Principal/ Head Teacher.
  • Attach your certified bank plate copy and National ID Copy to the completed TSC Bank Form.
  • Finally, send the documents to TSC Headquarters (enclosed in one envelope and addressed to the Secretary TSC, P.O Private Bag, Nairobi).

Kindly do not close your current account until salary starts to flow in through the new account. This will lead to bouncing back of your pay. Some teachers who rush to close the old accounts have gone for several months without pay.

If the TSC payroll is closed and you have closed your old account and your application for Pay-point change has not been effected, your local bank or Sacco returns the salary back to TSC. This process is long and involves a number of bureaucracies.

First, the floating salaries are reversed back to the Bank/ Sacco head office. After rigorous scrutiny, the bank/ Sacco then returns the salary to TSC Head Quarter. And this is done via written cheques that take long to be processed.

So, next time you wish to change your Pay Point, it is prudent that you be patient enough and do not rush to close the current account. Wait for about 3-4 months and if the salary is being sent to your bank account without any hitch, then consider closing the old account.

TSC list of of 30 de-registered teachers

The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, has announced the sacking of thirty teachers for gross misconduct. The dismissal of the tutors was announced on Monday October 12, 2020, as schools reopened after a closure of close to seven months. According to the list at our disposal, most of those sacked are male teachers.

While noting that the said teachers are yet to be formally dismissed, Wababu confirmed that there was enough evidence to warrant their dismissal.

“The teachers are in the process of being dismissed, and after the CEO (TSC Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nancy Macharia)has approved the list, then it will be gazetted; thereby confirming their dismissal,” She explained.

She said the offences committed by the teachers included: immoral behaviour and forging of academic certificates among others; as prescribed in the Teachers Code of Conduct.

In August, TSC released a list of 40 teachers who had been de-registered for committing similar offences.

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RECRUITMENT OF TEACHERS

The Commission has at the same time announced the registration of 8,500 new teachers. TSC Head of Corporate affairs, Betty Wababu, says the registered teachers are not part of the 11,000 who are being recruited; explaining that registration is different from hiring.

“Registration is different from hiring. The recruitment process is not over yet. Those are just teachers that have been registered with us. The number of teachers being recruited still stand as reported and when the process ends we are not going to to recruit more teachers because we are funded by the National Treasury to do the recruitment,” Wababu said.