MPs angered by TSC’s failure to pay allowances to 99,000 Teachers

Members of the National Assembly’s Education Committee have voiced their frustrations regarding the delayed payment of allowances to a staggering 99,000 teachers, despite the funds being earmarked in the national budget.

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has brought to light that a significant number of educators are currently serving in acting roles without receiving the allowances they rightfully deserve. This situation persists even though the necessary funds have been allocated.

During a recent discussion on the Teachers Service Commission (Amendment Bill), 2024—designed to provide special allowances for teachers in temporary positions—KUPPET Secretary General Omboko Milemba underscored the plight of these educators. He emphasized that the failure to distribute these funds is causing undue hardship for teachers who are legally entitled to them.

The bill, introduced by Mandera South MP Abdul Haro, faced pushback from several stakeholders, including the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the Public Service Commission (PSC), the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the State Law Office, the Auditor General’s office, and the Kenya Law Reform Commission (KLRC).

Despite the resistance, Milemba passionately championed the bill, urging the committee to endorse it as a vital step toward easing the burden on teachers nationwide. “There are countless teachers performing various roles without receiving their due allowances. The number of those in acting positions has surged dramatically over the years,” he remarked.

“TSC is neglecting its duty to compensate teachers for their extra efforts. This is why we back the bill—to ensure these educators receive the support they rightfully deserve,” he added.

However, the Education Committee, led by Chairman Julius Melly from Tinderet, questioned the necessity of the bill, suggesting it wouldn’t be needed if the TSC had fulfilled its responsibilities effectively. “This bill is a desperate response to TSC’s failure to promptly fill vacant positions,” Melly stated. “How can 99,000 teachers be in acting roles without compensation when the budget has already allocated funds? We demand a thorough explanation for this delay.”

Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera echoed the call for transparency, insisting on comprehensive information regarding the number of teachers in acting roles, their payments, outstanding amounts, and the reasons behind the payment delays.

In response, representatives from the TSC, KLRC, Attorney General, and PSC opposed the proposed legislation, arguing that the necessary changes could be addressed through existing regulations rather than introducing new laws. “The commission believes that the legislative amendments suggested by the Honorable Member should be postponed until the anticipated reforms in the education and teaching sector are implemented,” stated Allan Sitima, Senior Deputy Director of Legal Services at TSC.