The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has revealed ongoing negotiations with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) over a possible increase in salaries for teachers across the country.
KNUT National Executive Committee (NEC) member for the Rift Valley region Sammy Bor says they have presented a demand for a 60 per cent increase in teachers’ salaries.
The demand, Bor says, is based on the improving country’s economic situation following the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a media briefing in Eldoret town, the unionist expressed optimism that the salary increment will take effect at the end of July 2023.
“We are still hoping that at the end of July, teachers will find money in their bank accounts as far as salary increment is concerned,” said Bor who is also the Chepkoilel KNUT branch executive secretary.
“The kind of money teachers are earning now is so meagre to sustain a lifestyle that a teacher is supposed to have,” he added.
Non-monetary CBA
KNUT signed a 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement with the government that did not have a monetary component due to the then-tough economy affected by the pandemic.
However, the KNUT official says the agreement was that once the situation improves, they would engage TSC on the salary increase, which they are now doing.
“We want to urge the government to listen to the teachers because they are suffering,” Bor noted.
He also welcomed a recent directive from President William Ruto to the Salaries and Remuneration Commision (SRC) to institute a salary increase of between 7 and 10 per cent for public servants including teachers.
But according to Bor, the said increment will cushion teachers from the new tax measures contained in the Finance Act 2023, among them a 1.5 per cent housing levy.
“The negotiation of 60 per cent must continue because teachers must get their money,” he insisted.
The majority of Primary School teachers earn a salary between Ksh26,065 and Ksh135,946 per month.
A monthly wage for entry-level Primary school teachers ranges from Ksh26,065 to Ksh91,441. But after gaining 5 years of work experience, their income will be between Ksh40,744 and Ksh159,105 per month.
