Salary, Allowances And Deductions of Newly Employed Secondary School Teachers in Kenya
Teachers hold a crucial role in implementing the secondary school curriculum. In Kenya, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is responsible for hiring and paying all new teachers.
A graduate teacher is classified under job group K, now known as grade C2 and designated as Secondary Teacher II. According to the TSC appointment letter, a newly hired teacher is on probation for a minimum of six months.
If the teacher’s performance is unsatisfactory, the probation period may be extended. This probation phase is critical and must be taken seriously, as the Commission may terminate the teacher’s employment during this time.
After three years of service, a teacher is automatically promoted to job group L, currently referred to as grade C3.
Although the minimum requirement to teach in secondary school is a diploma, most secondary school tutors are university graduates.
Salary and Allowances
Under job group K (grade C2), teachers receive a rental house allowance of Kshs 7,500 and a commuter allowance of Kshs 5,000.
The amount for house allowance varies according to the SRC scales. Teachers in hardship areas also receive hardship allowances.
After deductions, a newly employed graduate teacher takes home Kshs 38,000, excluding those repaying HELB loans.
Breakdown of a Newly Employed Graduate Teacher’s Salary
| No. | Breakdown | Amount (Kshs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basic Salary | 34,955.00 |
| 2 | Rental House Allowance | 7,500.00 |
| 3 | Commuter Allowance | 5,000.00 |
| 4 | Total Earnings (Before deductions) | 47,455.00 |
Deductions
Newly employed teachers’ salaries are subjected to several deductions, including:
- Widows and Children’s Pension Scheme (WCPS) at approximately Kshs 699.10.
- University Loan Recovery at about Kshs 5,000 (only for those who benefitted from HELB).
- Union Contributions, which may include Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), or Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA).
- Pay As You Earn (PAYE).
- Other deductions may include sacco savings or loan repayments if the teacher is servicing a loan.
Salary, Allowances And Deductions of Newly Employed Secondary School Teachers in Kenya
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