See the nine TSC allowances that MPs are proposing in a Bill that will establish additional allowances for teachers.
The Teachers Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which seeks to improve the system and equity of teacher allowances, has been brought before the Kenyan Parliament. To establish a clear and predictable framework for paying teachers’ allowances, the measure, sponsored by Mandera South MP Abdul Haro, aims to change the Teachers Service Commission Act of 2012.
The bill’s Main Provisions
Introduction of Specific Allowances: The measure creates a new “Schedule Four” that lists nine different kinds of allowances that teachers can be given under certain circumstances:
Housing Stipend
Allowance for Commuting
Hardship compensation
Allowance for Leave
Transfer Allowance
Special School Allowance
Reader’s Facilitation Allowance
Allowance for Responsibility
Act Allowance
The responsibility allowance is the only one of these that is pensionable if it is earned up to and including the day of service’s conclusion; the others are not.
Appointments for Structured Acting
In order to establish a formal procedure for hiring teachers in acting positions, the statute establishes Section 32A. It stipulates that if a teacher satisfies all established qualifications, they may be appointed in an acting capacity for a period of at least thirty days and up to six months. A special duty allowance will be given to teachers who play acting roles, and they may only hold one acting position at any given moment.
When setting the allowances due to teachers, the statute mandates that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) confer with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), guaranteeing openness and uniformity in compensation.
Participation by the Public
In accordance with Standing Order 127(3) and Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution, the National Assembly has asked the public and stakeholders to send the Departmental Committee on Education their comments and memoranda on the bill by May 9, 2025.
In the middle of a growing movement by teachers’ unions calling for higher wages and better working conditions, this legislation has been introduced. Under its proposed collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the TSC, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has suggested a 60 percent increase in base salary and higher allowances.
In a similar vein, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (Kuppet) has demanded that the minimum wage be increased by between 50 and 100 percent, along with other benefits such as a risk allowance for science instructors.
If enacted, the Teachers Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is predicted to establish a fairer and more organized system for teacher allowances, addressing longstanding concerns and raising the standard of living for teachers nationwide. This will boost teacher motivation and, consequently, raise standards.
