MPs propose a Bill that will introduce new allowances for teachers: See the 9 TSC allowances
Members of Parliament in Kenya have put forward the Teachers Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024, with the aim of improving the structure and fairness of teacher allowances. Sponsored by Mandera South MP Abdul Haro, the bill intends to modify the Teachers Service Commission Act of 2012 to establish a clear and reliable framework for the remuneration of allowances to teachers.
Key Provisions of the Bill
Introduction of Specific Allowances: The bill suggests a new ‘Schedule Four’ that outlines nine categories of allowances that may be awarded to teachers under certain conditions:
Housing Allowance
Commuter Allowance
Hardship Allowance
Leave Allowance
Transfer Allowance
Special School Allowance
Reader’s Facilitation Allowance
Responsibility Allowance
Acting Allowance
Of these, only the responsibility allowance will be pensionable if accrued up to and including the final date of service; the remaining are non-pensionable.
Structured Acting Appointments
The bill presents Section 32A, which defines a formal procedure for appointing teachers to acting roles. It specifies that a teacher may be appointed in an acting role for a duration of at least 30 days to a maximum of six months, given the teacher fulfills all required qualifications. Teachers serving in acting positions will be granted a special duty allowance and may hold only one acting role at any given time.
Consultation with Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC): The bill requires that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) consults with the SRC when establishing the allowances awarded to teachers, ensuring transparency and consistency in pay.
Public Participation
The National Assembly has called upon the public and stakeholders to provide their opinions and memoranda on the bill to the Departmental Committee on Education by May 9, 2025, in accordance with Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution and Standing Order 127(3).
This legislative move occurs in the context of increased advocacy from teachers’ unions for enhanced compensation and working conditions. The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has suggested a 60 percent increase in base pay and improved allowances as part of its proposed collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the TSC.
Similarly, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (Kuppet) has advocated for basic salary increases between 50 to 100 percent and additional allowances, including a risk allowance for science teachers.
If passed, the Teachers Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is anticipated to create a more structured and fair system for teacher allowances, addressing enduring complaints and improving the welfare of educators nationwide. This is expected to motivate teachers throughout the country, thereby enhancing standards.
