The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) on Tuesday, February 7, responded to reports that Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) teachers' pay was significantly slashed.
Kenyans on social media called out SRC after it emerged that the commission had reduced ECDE teachers and caregivers' salaries to below the minimum wage.
However, the Lynn Mengich-led commission noted that the reports misrepresented the directive that SRC gave the 47 governors across the country.
"SRC hereby clarifies that in December 2021, it advised a gross remuneration for the lowest cadre of ECDE teacher based in Nairobi (Cluster 1) receiving between Ksh14,961 and Ksh15,842, while those in Cluster 4 (other areas) receiving between Ksh13,211 and Ksh14,092. This advice considered affordability and fiscal sustainability of the wage bill for county governments," the Salaries and Remuneration Commission explained.
The Commission noted that it was the Council of Governors (CoG) that asked SRC to evaluate the salaries for all ECDE teachers and caregivers.
"Upon a request from county governments, SRC issued a clarification on 13 January 2023 reiterating its earlier position on the remuneration and benefits of ECDE teachers.
"SRC is currently reviewing the remuneration for all public officers, including ECDE teachers, under the third remuneration review cycle, and which shall be issued by June 2023," the statement read in part.
SRC confirmed that it will continue to evaluate all salaries and make necessary recommendations to various institutions and agencies in the country.
"In line with our mandate of setting, reviewing and advising on the remuneration and benefits in the public service, SRC will continue to engage and respond to stakeholders on the matter, as appropriate," the Salaries and Remuneration Commission confirmed.
In a circular dated January 13, 2023, the commission asked governors to implement the new grading and salary structures which propose a pay cut of between Ksh7,383 and Ksh10,803.
In the directive, job group J (ECDE Teacher II) will be the most affected, after it emerged that more than 52 per cent salary slash from the current Ksh23,310 to Ksh12,980.
On Friday, February 3, 2023, over 10,000 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers and caregivers staged a protest against SRC, threatening to down their tools.
