MPs grill TSC over "flawed" hardship pay, unequal teacher deployment

Members of Parliament have put pressure on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) over the uneven classification of hardship areas and unequal distribution of teachers across the country, saying the current approach ignores ground realities and affects teacher welfare.

During a session chaired by the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Education Vice Chair Eve Obara, MPs questioned how the TSC and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) determine hardship allowances, with some legislators accusing the commission of relying on flawed guidance.

MP Phylis Bartoo challenged the TSC’s level of involvement, asking, “Do you just accept information from SRC as gospel, or do you advise SRC on the actual conditions teachers face in different parts of Kenya?”

MP Christine Oduor criticised the disparity in hardship allowance rates, noting that teachers working in remote regions are overlooked despite facing tough conditions. “The definition of hardship areas needs to be considered,” she said, adding that it was unfair for some parts of Nairobi to attract higher hardship allowances than rural areas without essential services.

Isiolo Woman Rep Mumina Bonaya highlighted the teacher shortage in counties like Isiolo, saying many educators prefer working in urban centres where infrastructure is better.

“Most of our schools in rural counties like Isiolo are not able to retain teachers… they prefer town centres and municipalities where infrastructure is accessible,” she said.

Bonaya called for hardship areas to be grouped in a way that reflects actual living and working conditions. “We have schools that have learners and not teachers.”

Acting TSC CEO Evaleen Mitei told the committee that the commission only advises the SRC and Treasury through collective bargaining, but the final classification decisions lie with the SRC.

“They were the ones who came up with the classification. Once TSC receives that advisory, it is binding,” she said.

MP Julius Taitumu raised concerns over the puzzling allowances given to well-developed areas like Nairobi. In response, Mitei said the commission would raise the matter with the Public Service Commission.

The Legislators also grilled TSC over the imbalance in teacher deployment. Mary Emaase urged a national review to assess staffing levels in schools.

“We have schools that have excess teachers and schools with not enough teachers, so that we can balance, and wherever there is need, Parliament can budget for recruitment,” she said.

MP Eve Obara supported the call, saying that while policies promise equal teacher distribution, the real picture is different.

“When you have a policy saying that there is equal distribution of teachers, but the reality on the ground is different, we have schools that are lagging behind because of this.”

TSC maintains it is guided by law and follows a fair recruitment process, placing new teachers in their home counties to help with retention.

On teacher age limits, MP Rebecca Tonkei asked for data on unemployed teachers over 45, saying they should not be left behind. “Do you have the data of teachers over the age of 45 who have not been employed? Give us the data and find a way of employing them.”

TSC confirmed that a 45-year age cap had been ruled unconstitutional in 2020, and since 2021, teachers up to 59 years and 11 months can be hired.

The commission also pledged to collect data on unemployed teachers aged over 45 and consider proposals to prioritise them.

The Education Committee urged TSC to work closely with SRC and the Public Service Commission to ensure the classification of hardship areas and salary-enhanced municipalities aligns with the daily realities faced by teachers.