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Tag: Teachers Service Commission (TSC)

  • Gov’t allocates Ksh 7.5B for new classrooms in push for Grade 9 readiness

    Gov’t allocates Ksh 7.5B for new classrooms in push for Grade 9 readiness

    The government is set to disburse Ksh 7.5 billion this week for the construction of an additional 7,500 classrooms, which are expected to be completed by December 2024.

    Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that significant progress has already been made in preparing for Grade 9, with 3,500 classrooms currently under construction across the country.

    “We are also finalizing the release of Ksh 3.4 billion to the NG-CDF for the construction of another 6,000 classrooms,” Ogamba said.

    Speaking on Monday at Lenana School Primary, Ogamba added that Grade 9 textbooks will begin being distributed to schools nationwide starting next month.

    “This morning, I visited several primary and junior schools in Kajiado, Machakos, and Nairobi counties. I observed school operations resuming for the third term and monitored the progress of Grade 9 classroom construction,” he said.

    The CS thanked the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) for calling off the teachers’ strike and making the decision in a timely manner, as it enabled the smooth reopening of schools.

    “I commend them for their selfless patriotism. It is critical that schools operate seamlessly this term, as students prepare for national assessments and examinations in the coming months,” said Ogamba.

    Ogamba emphasized the vital role that teachers play in the education system, underscoring the government’s commitment to improving their terms and conditions of service.

    “As a government, we are committed to bettering the welfare of teachers. We will continue to equip and build their capacity to ensure they are prepared for the ongoing implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC),” he explained.

    The CS noted that resources have been allocated for implementing the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement and for retooling teachers to ensure they are CBC-ready.

    He added that issues raised by unions, such as access to medical cover, career progression, and promotions, are being addressed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

    “The government has given due priority to teachers despite competing needs and challenging economic circumstances,” Ogamba said.

    He called on the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) to reconsider their stance and end their strike, citing the government’s demonstrated goodwill in addressing their concerns.

    “Last week, we disbursed Ksh 21.8 billion in capitation for primary, junior, and secondary schools. This money is now with the schools, and we expect operations to resume smoothly without disruptions,” said Ogamba.

    The CS urged school managers to use the disbursed resources prudently, stressing that these are public funds meant for the benefit of learners.

    “We are committed to ensuring that every cent disbursed is accounted for. We will take swift action against any cases of misappropriation,” he warned.

    Ogamba also stressed that no student should be sent home over unauthorized levies and instructed field officers to report any such cases for immediate action.

    He further cautioned school heads against withholding examination certificates due to unpaid fees, stating that certificates are a right for all students who sit for national examinations.

    “School heads should find other administrative means to recover fee balances without hindering students’ progress by withholding their certificates,” Ogamba added.

    The CS reassured stakeholders that the government is taking all necessary steps to ensure schools are ready and conducive for learning, pledging to work with all parties to ensure efficiency in the education sector.

  • CS Mutua urges unions to hold off strikes, promises quick action

    CS Mutua urges unions to hold off strikes, promises quick action

    The Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Dr Alfred Mutua, has called on unions to exercise patience and allow newly appointed ministers time to address their concerns.

    Speaking on Friday, Dr. Mutua emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving issues through dialogue and mutual understanding.

    “I urge the unions to allow a little time for the new Ministers to review these issues and engage with them promptly,” Dr Mutua stated.

    He assured union leaders that he had been in discussions with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET).

    “I am aware that the Ministry of Education and TSC are actively holding internal consultations on the unions’ concerns, and a way forward is forthcoming.”

    Dr. Mutua also addressed ongoing negotiations between the Ministry of Education and the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), noting that his ministry is closely monitoring the discussions.

    “Our team in the Ministry is already overseeing negotiations, and they will update me in a few days,” he said.

    Expressing concern over the threat of strikes, Dr Mutua urged unions to consider industrial action only as a last resort.

    “Go-slows and strikes should be the last resort after all else has failed,” he advised.

    To prevent future unrest, the Ministry of Labour is introducing an early warning system designed to address potential industrial disputes before they escalate.

    “My Ministry, as a neutral mediator, is committed to encouraging open dialogue and genuine commitments from everyone involved,” Dr. Mutua explained.

    In a broader context, Dr. Mutua reassured the unions of the new government’s dedication to servant leadership under President William Ruto.

    “The newly reconstituted Government is committed to servant leadership, where our primary role is to listen to and act on the will of the people. This is the essence of our democracy, and this is what Kenyans expect,” he said.

    Dr. Mutua expressed confidence in the unions’ ability to recognize the current economic, social, and political challenges facing the country.

    He urged union leaders to embrace dialogue and work towards pragmatic solutions.

    “I believe they are patriotic and forward-thinking and therefore urge them to embrace dialogue,” he concluded.

  • TSC warns budget slash puts teachers’ medical scheme, CBA at risk

    TSC warns budget slash puts teachers’ medical scheme, CBA at risk

    The National Assembly Committee on Education has raised concerns about the proposed Ksh 10.3 billion reduction in the budget for the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for the 2024/25 financial year.

    TSC CEO Nancy Macharia emphasized that these cuts would primarily impact recurrent expenditure, affecting critical areas such as teacher recruitment, training, implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and medical cover for teachers.

    Macharia informed the committee that the cuts would hinder their ability to recruit the planned 20,000 teachers in October 2024 and convert 46,000 interns to permanent status.

    Committee Chair Julius Melly expressed particular concern about the impact of the cuts on teacher recruitment, promotion, and the implementation of the CBA signed with teacher unions in August 2023.

    The CBA includes a salary increase of up to 9.5 per cent spread over two years, but the proposed budget cuts cast doubt on the availability of funds for this agreement.

    Additionally, the committee voiced concerns about the potential impact on teacher training, with a reduction of Ksh 262 million allocated for this purpose.

    The proposed budget also reduces the provision for medical cover, group life, and personal accident cover for teachers by 50 per cent, creating a shortfall of Ksh 11.89 billion.

    This shortfall could jeopardize the continuation of the current three-year medical scheme for teachers in its third year.

    Melly emphasized the importance of adequately funding the Ministry of Education and TSC, stating, “We ask Treasury to appropriate adequately. If it’s not funded, core ministries like Education and TSC will be crippled.”

    The committee directed the National Treasury to provide additional sources of funds to implement the CBA, medical scheme, recruitment of Junior Secondary School interns, and promotion of teachers.

    Macharia also confirmed a reduction in the development budget by Ksh 38 million, affecting ongoing capital projects, including the construction of county offices and the Kenya Primary Education Equity in Learning Programme.

    The committee noted the potential impact of the budget cuts on the administration of national examinations scheduled for later this year, as the entire allocation for examination waivers, totaling Sh5 billion, has been removed.

    Overall, the education sector budget has been reduced by Ksh 33.3 billion, impacting all three State Departments under the Ministry of Education as well as the TSC.

  • 2024/25 Budget: TSC, Roads, Defence receive highest allocation

    2024/25 Budget: TSC, Roads, Defence receive highest allocation

    Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Education, Roads and Defense sectors have received the highest allocation in the estimates of Recurrent and development expenditure for the 2024/25 Financial Year.

    National Assembly on Thursday considered the estimates ahead of budget reading next week as the lawmakers raised concern over low allocations on devolved functions such as health.

    The Teachers Service Commission will receive Ksh 358.21 billion with State Departments for Roads and Higher Education and Ministry of Defense  allocated Ksh 199.3 billion, Ksh 127.9 billion and Ksh 173 billion respectively.

    The MPs, however, raised concern on the allocation for State Departments for Medical Services and Public Health and Professional Standards at Ksh 102.9 billion and Ksh 28 billion respectively saying health is a devolved function.

    State Department for Immigration, Internal Security and Water and Sanitation shall receive ksh 14.9 billion, Ksh 35.8 billion, and Ksh 52.4 billion shillings respectively.

  • Narok JSS teachers demand permanent employment, pledge class boycott

    Narok JSS teachers demand permanent employment, pledge class boycott

    Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers in Narok County have vowed to boycott classes next Monday when schools reopen if the Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC) fails to comply with a court order to grant them permanent and pensionable employment.

    Led by Charles Ngeno, Secretary of the Narok branch of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), they urged the TSC to withdraw its appeal against the JSS teachers.

    “To the TSC, we urge you to absorb the JSS interns into permanent and pensionable positions as ordered by the Labour Relations Court,” said Ngeno.

    Ngeno emphasized that KUPPET is acting as a mediator between the teachers and the TSC, expressing solidarity with the JSS teachers who are demonstrating.

    Seela Kuluo, Treasurer of KUPPET’s Narok branch, expressed the dissatisfaction of JSS teachers, citing demotivation due to insufficient remuneration.

    “A hungry teacher is an angry teacher, which affects their motivation to teach,” said Kuluo.

    Kuluo highlighted the need for medical cover for JSS teachers, noting instances where teachers lack medical coverage despite needing hospitalization, urging the employer to address this issue.

    Furthermore, Kuluo stated that they have submitted a petition to the Narok TSC director in anticipation of prompt action from the relevant authorities.

    Vincent Oyungi, one of the JSS teachers, emphasized that teachers are prepared to boycott classes if their concerns remain unaddressed.

    “Teachers face numerous challenges, and a salary of Ksh 17,000 is insufficient for our livelihoods,” Oyungi added.

    The JSS teachers conducted a peaceful demonstration at the TSC offices in Narok town, where they presented their petition to the TSC director.

  • KUPPET, TSC agree on terms for promotion of over 30,000 teachers

    KUPPET, TSC agree on terms for promotion of over 30,000 teachers

    The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) have reached an agreement to promote over 30,000 teachers who have stagnated in one position for over seven years.

    Further, TSC will employ an extra 20,000 teachers to address the current shortage in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) in a joint exercise that will cost the exchequer over Ksh 7.8B.

    This emerged at the end of a six-day engagement between the teachers’ representatives and the commission at Sawela Lodge in Naivasha.

    Incidentally, senior officials from TSC were conspicuously absent during a media briefing by the KUPPET National Executive Committee.

    Addressing the press, KUPPET National Chairman Milemba Omboko said that of the 50,000 teachers who had stagnated for years, 30,000 would benefit in the coming financial year

    Omboko noted that since 2017, the majority of teachers had not been promoted adding that the Naivasha meeting had resolved this with effect from June this year.

    He said that Ksh 4B would be required for the employment of the 20,000 teachers who would come in handy in addressing the crisis in JSS across the country.

    Flanked by the top union officials, Omboko said that the government had promised to relook into the teacher’s medical cover.

    “The government will look at the implementation of new Group Life Cover, Group Personal Accident Cover and Work Injury Benefits insurance for teachers as part of the medical scheme,” he said.

    On his part, the union secretary general Akelo Misori said that of the 20,000 teachers who would be employed in JSS, 2,000 would be posted to ASAL regions.

    He added that TSC had agreed that in January 2025, it would convert all the 26,000 intern teachers recruited in 2023 to permanent and pensionable terms.

    “TSC has agreed to the union’s demand to review the Career Progression Guidelines that have contributed to stagnation among teachers and to develop new career Guidelines through public participation,” he said.

    Misori added that the union was satisfied by the recent promotion of over 50,000 teachers after an audit indicated that only 14 cases had issues.

    “The Commission has addressed our concerns about the promotion of teachers not in the payroll and explained the remedy for 14 teachers who earned the promotion while not being in the payroll,” he said.

    The SG expressed the union’s concern over poor staffing of schools, in particular Junior Secondary Schools where only two teachers per stream were currently handling all the learning areas.

    “The Commission will seek an allocation of Ksh 1B for the promotion of 30,000 teachers who have stagnated for years,” he said.

    On delayed pension for teachers, Misori said that TSC was working jointly with the Department of Pensions on administrative action to hasten the pension processes.