KNUT Protests TSC’s Removal of Kajiado from Hardship Areas.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has raised concerns over the government’s decision to exclude Kajiado County from Kenya’s list of hardship areas.
This move has denied teachers in the region their hardship allowances, a critical benefit given the challenges they face.
During its Annual General Meeting (AGM), KNUT urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to reinstate Kajiado’s hardship designation.
The union emphasized that teachers in the area continue to face unique challenges, including the constant threat of wildlife attacks.
KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu stated that some sub-counties had been unfairly removed from the hard-to-staff and hardship areas list, calling on TSC to restore Kajiado’s status.
Teacher Shortages in Rural Areas
The union also highlighted a pressing issue of teacher shortages, which it noted affects Kajiado and many other counties. KNUT called on TSC to prioritize rural areas instead of placing teachers in already overstaffed urban schools.
Oyuu stressed that understaffing remains a significant challenge nationwide, urging for equitable distribution of teaching staff to address these disparities.
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In a separate development, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) expressed similar concerns in Uasin Gishu County.
The union called on TSC to address the risks faced by teachers working in hardship areas, laboratories, and workshops.
They proposed the introduction of a risk allowance to compensate for injuries and other hardships encountered during their duties.
Salary Adjustments and New CBA Proposals
KUPPET also demanded a salary increment ranging from 50 to 100 percent under their proposed 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
This was in response to the rising cost of living, which has significantly impacted teachers’ purchasing power.
Secretary General Akelo Misori pointed out the steep rise in the prices of essential household items between 2017 and 2024 as justification for the increment.
Additionally, the new CBA aims to address career advancement issues by promoting 20,000 primary school heads currently serving as Acting Junior Secondary School Principals to full Principal status.
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Both KNUT and KUPPET have called on TSC to address the challenges faced by teachers, particularly those in hardship areas.
Their appeals focus on equitable staffing, improved allowances, and salary adjustments to reflect the economic realities of teachers across Kenya.
KNUT Protests TSC’s Removal of Kajiado from Hardship Areas
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