Teachers perform a vital role in implementing the secondary school curriculum. In Kenya, the Teachers Service Commission(TSC) is mandated with employment and remuneration of all new teachers.
A graduate teacher falls under job group K which is currently referred to as grade C2 designated as Secondary Teacher II.
According to TSC appointment letter, the newly employed teacher remains on probation for a period of not less than six (6) months. In some cases the probation period may be extended if the teacher’s performance is unsatisfactory. This propagation period is very vital and should be taken seriously. Remember, the Commission may be forced to terminate the teacher’s employment at this phase.
After three years of service, the teacher is automatically promoted to job group L currently known as grade C3.
Although minimum requirements for one to teach in secondary school is diploma, majority of secondary school tutors are university graduates.
Under job group K(grade C2), the teacher enjoys rental house allowance and commuter allowance of Kshs 7,500 and Kshs 5,000 respectively. Though, the amount of House allowance differs as per the SRC scales. Teachers working in hardship areas also receive hardship allowances.
After all deductions have been effected, the newly employed graduate teacher takes home Kshs 38,000. Remember that this amount does not apply to those who are being deducted HELB Loan.
Here is a Breakdown of a newly employed graduate teacher in a secondary school.
No. | Break down | Amount (Kshs) |
1 | Basic Salary | 34,955.00 |
2 | Rental House Allowance | 7,500.00 |
3 | Commuter Allowance | 5,000.00 |
4 | Total Earnings (Before deductions) | 47,455.00 |
See also; TSC payslips online; Login, register and download payslips (T-pay portal https://tpay.tsc.go.ke/)
It is important to note that there are several deductions subjected to salary of a newly employed teacher. They include;
- Widows and Children’s Pension Scheme (WCPS) which is about Kshs. 699.10.
- University Loan Recovery about Kshs. 5000. Note that this is only affecting those teachers who benefitted from HELB.
- Union Contribution; could be Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers(KUPPET), Kenya National Union of Teachers(KNUT) or Kenya Women Teachers Association(KEWOTA).
- Pay As You Earn (PAYE).
Other deductions could be be either sacco savings or loan repayment if the teacher is servicing a loan.