The two giant teachers' unions and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) have agreed to increase tutor's pay by between 7 per cent to 10 per cent.
The raise is a result of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and stems from a recommendation by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to increase the salaries of all State employees.
On Monday, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) declared that after productive negotiations with the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET), tutors will receive a salary increase starting from July 1, 2023.
An additional agreement to the 2021/2025 CBA has also been ratified, aiming to cushion teachers from new legal deductions and the rising cost of living.
Last week, the three unions declined TSC's proposal of a salary hike ranging from 2.4 percent to 9.5 percent, deeming it inadequate, maintaining that the increase fell short of the recommendation put forth by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
The unions had been angling for the seven to 10 per cent increase recommended by SRC for all civil servants.
After a sequence of discussions, an agreement has been attained following prior discussions held on Friday, August 25, with the intention of resolving the stalemate.
"The Commission has concluded the promotion of 14,738 teachers in August 2023 and has advertised additional 36,275 vacancies for promotions. The objective of these promotions is to motivate teachers as they advance in their career to improve productivity and performance," a statement released by TSC read in part.
According to the dispatch, teachers in Teachers Training Colleges (TTC) will be prioritised in promotion vacancies, eliminating competition with secondary teachers for TTC vacancies.
The teachers body will further unveil a comprehensive policy outline aimed at empowering and motivating college tutors.
Moreover, a progressive process of aligning house allowances with Nairobi rates will commence, guaranteeing equitable allowances for teachers across the country.
Notably, teachers situated in cluster 4 and other designated areas will receive an increase in their house allowance.
“It is worth noting that 87% of the public teaching service are earning house allowance under Cluster 4 category. These are teachers stationed mainly in rural areas. The new salary structure shall be implemented immediately in the August payroll and arrears backdated to 1st July 2023,” the statement read.
TSC also committed to review the career advancement path for special needs education teachers, with a specific focus on refining their workload, particularly those based in specialised units.
This move aims to optimize the efficient deployment of this group of teachers.
