TSC to pay teachers salary increment with arrears in August pay

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has included the second phase of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) 2021 – 2025 it signed with teachers unions.

Teachers should expect salary changes in their August payslips with arrears backdated to July 1, 2024 as the Commission CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia says they have the money to effect the payment.

This means teachers will experience delays in getting this months salaries as TSC starts to make the changes after it had closed the payroll.

Macharia in a press statement beseeched teachers to report back to work on Monday without fail.

“We are therefore beseeching all our teachers to report to schools on Monday for the start of the Third Term now that the Government has released funds for the implementation of the second phase of the 2021-2025 CBA,” said Macharia.

However teachers unions Knut and Kuppet have said the strike is on after TSC failed to address other issues they had raised among them promotion of 130,000 teachers and confirmation of intern teachers.

On 28^th August, 2023, TSC signed the 2021-2025 CBA with KNUT, KUPPET and KUSNET.

The agreement reviewed the remuneration payable to teachers which is to be implemented in two phases. The first phase was implemented on 1^st July 2023.

In the agreement the House allowance rates shall be paid as categorized in four clusters. Cluster 1: Nairobi City Cluster 2: Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru Cities, Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika, Kisii, Malindi and Kitale municipalities. Cluster 3: Other former municipalities. Cluster 4: All other areas.

In the agreement the House allowance rates for Clusters 1, 2 and 3 were retained. However, Cluster 4 rates were reviewed to be implemented in two phases.

The first phase was factored in the August 2023 payroll with arrears backdated to July 1, 2023.

Below is a statement by TSC earlier today after meeting teachers unions.

THE TEACHERS SERVICE COMMISSION

PRESS STATEMENT

CONSULTATIVE MEETING BETWEEN THE TEACHERS ERVICE COMMISSION AND TEACHER UNIONS

1. His Excellency the President Dr William Samoei Ruto, on Friday, June 16^th 2024, ordered the Teachers Service Commission to hold talks with the teachers’ unions with a view to resolving an industrial dispute on various issues affecting the welfare of public school teachers.

2. The directive came on the back of a strike notice issued by the teachers unions over the contentious issues. The TSC invited the three teacher unions (KNUT, KUPPET and KUSNET) to talks here today to discuss the issues.

3. Top of the agenda was the delayed implementation of the reviewed 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

4. After today’s discussions, the Commission is pleased to announce that the Government has provided funds for the implementation of the 2^nd phase of the CBA with effect from 1 ^st July 2024.

5. Other issues that the trade unions had issues but have been resolved by the commission include

• Review of the Career Progression Guidelines is ongoing
• Up to date remittance of third party deductions
• Teachers can now access both public and private hospitals under the Teachers Medical Scheme.
• The Government has provided resources for retooling of teachers for the implementation of CBC.
• The TSC has promoted 51 ,232 teachers under competitive promotions and a further 20,000 annually on common cadre.

Effectively, the unions have noted the TSC position and agreed to consult their internal organs with a view to withdrawing the strike notice.

We, therefore, wish to thank the unions for engaging the Commission to ensure non-disruption of learning in schools during the Third Term, 2024.

The TSC wishes to profusely thank the Government for providing adequate resources for the CBA and all other teacher programmes despite the harsh economic environment.

In the meantime, the TSC wishes to thank all our teachers and other stakeholders for the incredible job they continue to do that will ensure smooth learning activities in our schools.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is committed to provide a conducive working environment for all the teachers in its employment.

We are therefore beseeching all our teachers to report to schools on Monday for the start of the Third Term now that the Government has released funds for the implementation of the second phase of the 2021-2025 CBA

NANCY NJERI MACHARIA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER/COMMISSION SECRETARY