Education CS Ogamba Addresses Hardship Allowance Disparities for TVET Tutors and TSC-Employed Teachers.
During a parliamentary session, Education CS Julius Ogamba faced tough questions from MPs, particularly regarding the allocation of hardship allowances for technical vocational education and training (TVET) tutors.
MP Robert Basil, representing Yatta Constituency, raised concerns about the disparity in allowances between technical tutors and their counterparts employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Hon. Robert Basil highlighted the issue of hardship allowances for TVET tutors in his constituency.
He noted that despite technical vocational education trainers working under similar conditions to those employed by the TSC, the former do not receive the same hardship allowances.
Basil pointed out that TSC-employed teachers are eligible for these allowances, but those in technical education are not, despite facing similar challenges.
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He expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry’s response, emphasizing the need for fairness in the allocation of allowances for tutors.
CS Ogamba’s Response
In response, CS Ogamba explained that the hardship allowance schemes are distinct for TSC-employed teachers and national public service employees, including technical trainers.
He referenced a circular issued by the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service on December 7, 2015, which outlines hardship areas for national public service workers.
According to Ogamba, the area where Yatta’s technical vocational college is located is not designated as a hardship area under this scheme.
He further clarified that, unlike the public service framework, a legal notice under the Teachers Service Commission Act designates Zata Division as a hardship area.
He assured MPs that the Ministry of Education is collaborating with other relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Public Service and Human Capital Development, to address these discrepancies.
The goal is to streamline the framework for hardship allowances to ensure appropriate action is taken.
MP’s Continued Disagreement
Despite CS Ogamba’s explanation, MP Robert Basil remained unconvinced. He expressed that the response from the Ministry was unsatisfactory and discriminatory.
Basil argued that it was unfair for some tutors to be excluded from receiving allowances when they face similar hardships to their counterparts.
He called for further research and action from the Ministry to ensure parity in the distribution of hardship allowances for tutors across the country.
The debate highlighted discrepancies in the designation of hardship areas and the delay in releasing a crucial task force report from 2021.
MPs questioned why the 2021 task force report, which mapped out regions eligible for hardship allowances, had not yet been released.
The task force involved key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Interior, and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
It aimed to identify and categorize areas where public servants should receive hardship benefits.
Legislators expressed frustration over the prolonged delay, emphasizing that the report’s findings are critical for ensuring equitable allowances across the country.
Hardship Allowance Discrepancies
CS Ogamba acknowledged the inconsistencies in determining hardship areas. He noted that some regions considered challenging by the TSC were not recognized as such for other civil servants.
For instance, areas like Rabai face significant challenges yet remain unregistered as hardship zones for some government workers.
In response, Ogamba stated that the Ministry of Education had prepared a document addressing the discrepancies.
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This document has been presented to the Ministry of Public Service, with the goal of harmonizing hardship area designations.
He explained that the lack of alignment between TSC classifications and those for other civil servants, such as trainers, was a significant oversight.
Key Issues Raised
- Task Force Report (2021): Delay in release despite extensive mapping of hardship areas.
- Discrepancies: Unequal recognition of hardship zones among different government sectors.
- Ministry’s Efforts: Proposal submitted to the Ministry of Public Service to standardize hardship classifications.
Education CS Ogamba Addresses Hardship Allowance Disparities for TVET Tutors and TSC-Employed Teachers.
