Government to Harmonise Hardship Allowances for Teachers – CS Ogamba.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos revealed that the government is working on new policies to address disparities in hardship allowances for teachers in regions with difficult working conditions, such as Taita Taveta, Mombasa, Kwale, Tharaka Nithi, and Makueni counties.
During the launch of 16 NG-CDF-funded classrooms in Wundanyi Constituency, Taita Taveta County, Migos assured stakeholders that the government was focused on resolving the issue of unequal recognition of hardship areas.
He explained that the government had already formulated policies and identified areas requiring harmonization. The aim is to ensure that neighboring areas with similar conditions are treated equally when it comes to hardship allowances.
Migos emphasized that the proposal was under consideration and that the ministry was dedicated to resolving the disparities.
The Cabinet Secretary further highlighted that the government plans to speed up the process and apply affirmative action to areas facing the most significant challenges. He assured the community that efforts were underway to rectify the situation and prioritize regions in need.
MP Calls for Focus on Teacher Welfare
Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako supported Migos’ statements, stressing the difficult conditions teachers face in Taita Taveta County. He urged the government to prioritize the region, ensuring teachers receive hardship allowances to encourage them to stay in the area and continue providing quality education.
Mwashako pointed out the county’s tough geographical terrain and economic struggles, noting that many teachers are assigned to remote schools with limited resources. He called for the government to address these challenges to improve teacher retention and morale.
Local education stakeholders echoed the MP’s concerns, urging the government to expedite the implementation of policies addressing the hardship allowances. They emphasized that such measures would have a positive impact on teacher morale and, ultimately, on the educational standards in Taita Taveta.
Migos reassured teachers across the nation that the ministry is committed to ensuring fair and equal treatment in their working environments. He also reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to ensuring that students across the country receive a fair education, including by meeting the urgent need for classrooms for Junior Secondary School (JSS) students.
Progress on Classroom Construction for JSS
The Education Cabinet Secretary shared that the government had begun constructing JSS classrooms in October. Within three months, 14,500 classrooms had been completed—a feat that Migos noted had never been accomplished before.
He added that, by the end of February, the government expects to have completed 16,000 classrooms, ensuring that all Grade 9 students have a dedicated space for learning.
Migos also mentioned that an agreement had been reached with headteachers to ensure full attendance of all students in these classrooms, even as the government works hard to meet construction deadlines.
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The Cabinet Secretary further revealed that over 76,000 teachers had been hired to manage the transition to junior secondary education. In addition, the government has distributed 9.9 million textbooks, ensuring each student receives a book for every subject, with a 1:1 ratio.
Migos emphasized that the government had lifted the financial burden from parents, assuring that it is the government’s responsibility to provide textbooks as part of the commitment to offer free, basic education as outlined in the constitution.
Government to Harmonise Hardship Allowances for Teachers – CS Ogamba.
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