The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, has sent a message of appreciation to all teachers for their selfless services, rendered this year, ahead of the National examinations period. Through a presser by TSC Chief Executive Officer/ Secretary, Dr. Nancy Njeri Macharia, the TSC says “a big thank you to all the 312,000 teachers in primary and Secondary schools for their commitment and hard work throughout the year preparing the 1,725,345 KCPE (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) and KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) examination candidates.”
This appreciation note comes after most schools having closed for the long December holidays, for form ones, twos and threes.
Dr. Macharia, also, has kind words for the Principals and head teachers who shall be centre managers during the KCPE and KCSE examinations. The commission thanks ‘the 30,184 principals and head teachers who will be centre managers to ensure smooth administration of KCPE and KCSE (Examinations).’ The TSC Secretary has in the same breadth thanked the 35,114 supervisors and 91,405 invigilators who will oversee administration and monitoring of the National examinations. This happens even as the TSC and KNUT lock horns over unresolved industrial matters affecting teachers like: stoppage to the Performance Appraisals, Suspending delocalization of teachers and promoting teachers on attainment of higher qualifications by the Commission. read more details here: TSC Cancels the much anticipated meeting with KNUT
“Finally, the commission wishes all the 1,725,345 candidates the best in the examinations and in their future endeavours,” Dr. Macharia concludes. As the December holiday beckons, most teachers will still be engaged in the administration and marking of the National examinations, whose results are expected before the end of the year, 2018.
EduAfya Cover is a medical scheme for all Secondary schools students in Kenya that offers medical cover for the whole period of their studies. Under this cover, students who unfortunately pass on are compensated… read details here: https://newsblaze.co.ke/nhif-eduafya-cover-for-secondary-schools-students/
The Ministry of Education has announced new term dates for the 2019 academic year. In a circular dated 20 September, 2018 , and written by the Principal Secretary, Dr. Belio R. Kipsang, all pre-primary and Primary schools shall open 0n 02/01/2019 for term one. Secondary schools shall re-open on 02/01/2019, while Primary and Diploma Teachers Training Colleges shall open on 02/01/2019 for first term.
Saving is a venture that most people do not under take. But, saving is very important as it gives one financial security; more so during emergencies. Most people do not know where and how to save their earnings, here are a few suggestions:
Search for good saving places like fixed deposits accounts in banks, SACCOS and insurance firms.
Be financially disciplined.
Get enough knowledge on how to and where to save. Do thorough research before investigations before saving your money in any area to avoid con men
Do proper budgeting for your income. Include your savings amounts in the budgeting.
The Teachers Service Commission has urged universities to encourage students to take up courses in under staffed subjects. Through a memo sent to all university deans in the School of Education, TSC says that the subjects lacking enough personnel include: Drawing & Design, Home Science, Art & Design, Agriculture, Physical Education, Music and Computer Studies. “These subjects are lacking the required number of teachers who will be able to adequately provide the correct curriculum based establishment in Secondary Schools,” says the memo dated 19th October 2018 and written by TSC’s Dr. Nthamburi Mugwuku for the Chief Executive Officer.
The said subjects attract the least numbers of candidates in KCSE and are ofTEN referred to as ‘the small subjects’ by the Kenya National Examinations Council, KNEC. Some graduates from Universities offering Education degrees with Information Technology, IT, like (Maseno University) have been rejected by the TSC for not taking Micro teaching and Teaching practice units in Computer studies.
The Commission now asks universities to come up with ways of churning out more teachers in the mention subjects. “The purpose of this letter is to kindly request your universities to put measures to train who can be able teach these subjects in order to address the gaps”, adds Dr. Nthamburi.
The Orange Democratic Movement Disciplinary Committee has summoned various members for gross misconduct. The party’s Disciplinary committee that met today resolved to summon the members to appear before it on October 10, 2018 at the Party’s head quarters. The members, who include Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of County Assembly (MCAs) are expected to appear before the committee at 9 a.m to show cause why they should not be disciplined.
Through a presser by the Party’s Disciplinary Committee Chair, Fred Athuok, the members summoned include:
Hon. Aisha Jumwa Katana- MP, Malindi Constituency
Hon. Suleiman Dori- MP, Msambweni Constituency
Hon. Masira Duke Oyagi- Majority leader, Nyamira County
Hon. Peter Palang’a- Minority Leader, Nakuru County.
The Disciplinary Committee has also received the notice to show cause letters to several members of Homa Bay County and will act on the same accordingly.
The widow to the slain ICT Boss to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, IEBC, Eva Buyu has finally landed a government job. She was appointed to be a member of the Export Processing Zone, EPZ, authority for a term of three years. The Authority’s mandate is to promote and facilitate export oriented investments and to develop an enabling environment for such investments. The EPZ Authority is a State Corporation, under the Ministry of Industrialization and Enterprise Development.
Through the Kenya Gazette-Vol.-117-21-9-18-Special-Awards, published yesterday, Eva Buyu was appointed together with John Masaba and former Mbooni Legislator, Kisoi Munyao.
Decorated businessman and ZEDEKIAH BUNDOTICH (Buzeki), who vied for the Uasin Gishu Gubernatorial seat in the last general elections, will head the Board of Chemelil Sugar Company Limited, for a period of three (3) years.
EKWEE ETHURO, the former Senate Speaker, was appointed to be the Chairperson of the Higher Education Loans Board, for aperiod of five (5) years, with effect from the 20th September, 2018.
NASA CEO, Norman Magaya, got appointment into the Ezekiel Mutua led Kenya Film Classification Board as a member. ex-Mwingi North member of Nationa Assembly, John Munuve, was named member and non-executive chair to the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) for a period of 3 years.
President Uhuru made the appointments on 20 September, 2018. The appointments draw nominees from all the political divides with Wiper’s Kalonzo musyoka getting a share.
Chris Musando’s body had several cuts when it was found at City Mortuary by family members on Monday, Jul. 31, 2017. His killers have been found to date.
EXITING SERVICE VIA RELEASE OF A TEACHER TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
The Teachers Service Commission, TSC , may release, without pay, a teacher appointed to a public institution, a teachers’ union (KUPPET & KNUT), public educational institution, county government etc.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has today met with a section of opposition leaders who have been lamenting on the president’s move to keep them out of the handshake with H.E Raila odinga, months ago. Among those present at state house, Nairobi, today were: Wiper leader, Kalonzo musyoka,Ford Kenya’s Moses wetangula and Senate speaker, Kenneth Lusaka.
After the meeting, the president wrote: “Today I was humbled and honored by Western leaders and Wiper Party members for joining me in the development agenda for Kenyans and putting aside political differences.” Today’s meeting comes ahead of the Mashujaa day celebrations slated for the 2oth october, 2018, at Bukhungu stadium, Western Region.
President uhuru kenyatta with Wiper leader, Kalonzo musyoka, at state house today
KUPPET requests members to read the document and give their inputs.
BACKGROUND
Introduction
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement on 26th October 2016 which was later registered in the Employment and Labour Relations Court on 30th November 2016. The CBA was an agreement to regularize the industrial relations between the employer and KUPPET as well as for the interest of mutual understanding and co-operation. The CBA reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a collaborative relationship aimed at realizing quality teaching service.
Analysis of the Cost of Living in Kenya
According to surveys released by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Consumer Price Indices (CPI) has continued to increase over the last 2 years. Consumer Price Index is a measure that examines the weighted average of prices of a basket of consumer goods and services such as transportation, food and medical care. It is calculated by taking price changes of each item in the predetermined basket of goods and averaging them. It reports inflation and deflation tendencies in the economy.
In July 2016, the CPI was 170.84 and inflation rate was 6.39. The CPI has increased to 191.59 and inflation rate is 4.35 in 2018. This is an economic indicator that prices of goods and services have increased over time affecting the remuneration and allowances for workers. The GDP has also increased on average 1.33 per cent since 2015 indicating an increase of 1.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2018.
For example, the average price of fuel in 2016 was sh98 per litre compared to the current sh112. This affects the commuter allowance as fares have risen from sh50 to sh 100 in most parts of the country.
The table below shows the average price changes for household consumption goods and services over the last 2 years.
Product
Unit of measure
July 17
December 17
July 18
% change
Tomatoes
1kg
86.45
94.52
122.04
41
Kerosene
1L
63.55
71.42
85.05
22.8
Petrol
1L
98.00
105.04
109.67
11.9
Charcoal
4kg
81.61
138.13
69.25
Maize flour
2kg
106.77
110.10
116.29
8.91
Sukumawiki
1kg
42.17
43.67
57.87
37.23
Electricity
50kwh
576.07
649.73
695.97
20.81
Source: KNBS CPI July 2017, December 2017 and July 2018
The cost of living has increased rapidly over the last two years affecting the purchasing power of household goods and services. The transport cost has increased beyond the commuter allowance negotiated due to increase of fuel and general overall transport cost.
The Union demands that the following issues may be considered for negotiations to cushion teachers in their delivery of services.
PROPOSALS OF NEW ALLOWANCES
1.COMMUTER ALLOWANCE
The Union demands that commuter allowance be increased by 150% of the current rate. Commuter allowance shall be paid as per Appendix.
LEAVE ALLOWANCE
The Union demands that leave allowance be paid based on one’s basic pay i.e. an equivalent of one month’s basic pay for all cadres.
3.HOUSE ALLOWANCE
The Union demands that House allowance be harmonized across all regions.i.e Teachers in Grade C2 should enjoy the same house allowance whether in Nairobi or Marsabit and this should be in all grades.
TOWNSHIP HARDSHIP ALLOWANCE
While teachers enjoy equal house allowance across all regions, the Union proposes the introduction of township allowance. Teachers in urban areas experience challenges of high cost of living and expensive urban transport and this makes no difference with a teacher in a hardship area. We propose a town allowance of 30% of basic salary be paid to teachers in major cities or county headquarters.
HARDSHIP ALLOWANCE
Hardship allowance shall be payable to teachers assigned duties in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) areas. However, the areas declared as hardship needs to be reviewed because there are other emerging issues like terrorism, cattle rustling etc.
RISK ALLOWANCE
Risk allowance shall be payable to all Science teachers due to exposure to chemicals and other substances. The Union demands that Risk allowance be paid at a rate of 20% of the basic salary as per appendix.
ACCOMODATION ALLOWANCE
Teachers are assigned duties outside the work station. In the civil service, there are guidelines stipulating the allowance for every cadre. The Union has proposed development of clear guidelines on the payment of accommodation allowance (per diem) as well as the amount as shown in the appendix.
POST GRADUATE SCHEME OF SERVICE
The teaching service has no scheme of service for teachers who have attained a Masters and Doctorate degrees. Instead, the employer awards three increments to the holders of such qualifications. The proposed scheme seeks to allow TSC recruit teachers possessing post-graduate qualifications at entry level. The Union demands that Post graduate scheme of service be developed and be eligible to all teachers holding a Master’s and Doctorate degree. The said teachers shall be paid an allowance equivalent to 40% of the basic salary.
8.CAREER PROGRESSION
Parties agreed that career progression in the teaching service shall be as provided under Part VI of the Code of Regulations for Teachers. However, KUPPET demands that the Commission in performance of its obligation under this agreement ensures that every teacher under its employment is facilitated to undergo professional development.
9.OVERTIME ALLOWANCE
KUPPET demands that working hours for all teachers be 8 hours per day i.e. 8.00 am. to 5.00 p.m. with one hour lunch break for five days i.e. 40 hours per week – Monday to Friday. Further, the Union proposes that any extra hours worked be compensated as an overtime as teachers in boarding sections are overworked and no monetary compensation are done. The overtime allowance schedule is attached as per Appendix.
COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL COVER
We propose that medical allowance be increased by 100% to enable the employer improve health benefits with insurance underwriters.
TEACHERS’ SALARY INCREMENT
The 2016 basic salary increment be varied to align the increment with challenges of inflation.
OTHER ISSUES
The marking scheme for employment of Diploma teachers is discriminating and unfair to diploma teachers. We propose it be reviewed so that they are given same marks as graduates.
Special schools allowance terminated without consultation should be reinstated.
Annual increment for teachers seems not clear. Not all teachers have been given the same.
There should exist common cadre grades to show job group progression as before the CBA 26th October, 2016.
ACCOMODATION ALLOWANCE (PER DIEM)
Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu Kilifi, Naivasha, Lamu and Kwale
Download the manual below to get all the relevant information on the Kenyan police Service, including: recruitment, training, remuneration and discipline:
