New Teachers Salary Per Job Group; CBA Winners and the Affected
Teachers, often regarded as the pillars of education and the architects of tomorrow, have found themselves entangled in a new pay deal that has left many pondering its implications.
The recent agreement inked between their representative unions and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has sparked a mix of reactions within the education sector.
While the increments might seem modest at first glance, they serve a critical purpose. The Kenyan economy has been grappling with inflation and a high cost of living, placing immense financial strain on teachers.
The increments, though not uniform across all pay grades, aim to provide some degree of cushioning against these economic challenges.
Knut Secretary General Collins Oyuu’s assertion that the pay rise will help teachers tackle inflation and living costs underscores the urgent need for these adjustments.
Teachers Updates comprehensive exploration delves into the intricacies of the deal, its impact on teachers’ incomes, and the broader landscape it is set against.
The Anatomy of the Pay Deal
Amidst mixed sentiments, the pay deal has been hailed as both a stepping stone and a stumbling block for teachers. A marked pay increment ranging from Sh785 to Sh5,141 has been negotiated.
Interestingly, the amount coincides with the implementation of the housing levy and the new National Social Security Fund (NSSF) rates.
While this increment translates to a 2.4 to 9.5 percent increase for various pay grades, it’s essential to dissect the implications thoroughly.
Housing Levy and NSSF Deductions
The inclusion of important deductions balances out the joy of a pay raise. While the pay deal offers a monetary boost, a portion of this increment will be allocated towards mandatory deductions.
Teachers’ payslips will face a 1.5% reduction for the housing levy and an additional Sh360 for NSSF. It is worth noting that prior to this new arrangement, teachers were exempt from NSSF deductions due to their participation in the Public Service Superannuation Scheme.
The introduction of these deductions poses a challenge to teachers, particularly those who are not used to this reduction in their earnings.
The Winners and the Affected
As the ink dries on the agreement, it’s crucial to examine who the true beneficiaries and the most affected parties are.
Notably, teachers in pay grades C4, C5, D4, and D5, which fall under the minimum pay level, will find themselves on the losing end, grappling with no increment at all.
Moreover, the plight of D1 teachers, who receive a meager Sh785 increment, raises questions about equitable distribution.
Contrastingly, teachers in various job groups, such as B5, C1, C2, and C3, will experience relatively more favorable outcomes.
Their increments range from Sh2,074 to Sh3,331, serving as a buffer against the deductions and the evolving economic landscape.
Meanwhile, teachers in the higher echelons of pay grades D2 and D3 can anticipate increments of Sh1,455 and Sh1,399, respectively.
In the agreement, the Collective Bargaining Agreement for 2021–2025 will be amended and implemented in two phases over the next two years.
Graduate teachers at the entry level will receive an additional Ksh 4,164, while those in former municipalities will receive Ksh 5,141.
The highest-paid teacher will receive a Ksh 4,883 raise.
The dwelling allowance for tutors in rural and small-town areas will increase by between Ksh 2,100 and Ksh 8,700.
Increment by Pay Grades
The impact of the new pay deal varies widely across different pay grades. Teachers in pay Grade B5, for instance, can anticipate a minimum pay rise of Sh2,074, resulting in a range of Sh21,756 to Sh23,830.
Meanwhile, teachers in job group C1 will receive a substantial increment of Sh2,592, raising their earnings to Sh29,787 from the previous Sh27,195.
Similarly, job group C2 teachers will experience an increase of Sh3,331, seeing their salaries ascend from Sh34,955 to Sh38,286. However, not all pay grades will witness such improvements.
Teachers in pay grades C4 and C5 will not observe any rise, as their salaries will remain stagnant at Sh52,308 and Sh62,272, respectively.
Similarly, those in D4 and D5 will not benefit from any pay increase, as their salaries will persist at Sh114,242 and Sh131,380, respectively.
Implications for Teachers and Education
The immediate implications of the pay deal are multifaceted. While the increments provide some respite, they also serve as a counterbalance to the rising cost of living and the specter of inflation.
This equilibrium is particularly pivotal for teachers in rural areas, who will benefit from an improved housing allowance—a point that has garnered praise from observers.
However, the complexity does not end here. The pay deal’s echoes extend beyond the tangible numbers on teachers’ payslips.
The unions’ reservations about teacher promotions and career progression guidelines underscore underlying tensions that require attention.
Unions’ Concerns and the Road Ahead
While the signing of the pay deal marks a significant step towards addressing teachers’ financial concerns, it is not the end of the road for negotiations. The unions have expressed reservations about teacher promotions and career progression guidelines.
Kuppet, in particular, initially dismissed the offer as unfavorable, labeling it a “raw deal” and criticizing the employer for being deceptive.
However, this initial opposition eventually gave way to a more conciliatory tone. Akello Misori, the Secretary General of Kuppet, expressed a change of heart regarding the deal.
Misori acknowledged the deal’s importance in cushioning teachers against inflation, which has been a growing concern in recent times.
Despite signing the pay deal, the representative unions have not shied away from highlighting their concerns.
The career progression guidelines have been met with skepticism, with the unions arguing that they put teachers in lower cadres at a disadvantage.
The narrative, therefore, is not one of finality but rather the commencement of a broader dialogue.
A technical committee which includes of TSC and union representatives will meet. This committee will delve into the issues, including teacher promotions and compensation for those in acting capacities.
The evolving dynamics of education and the intricate interplay between stakeholders promise to make these deliberations a focal point in the sector’s development.
Conclusion: Beyond the Increment
KUPPET pledged to continue negotiating for the harmonization of house allowances.
In addition, TSC will promote 50,000 teachers as part of the agreement.
The teachers’ unions have also pledged to ensure that their employer honors the remaining 50% of the cost-of-living allowance.
Backdated to July 1, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) earlier this month announced a 7–10 percent salary increase for civil servants.
For the fiscal year 2023-2024, the increase will cost taxpayers an additional Ksh 21.7 billion, with instructors receiving the lion’s share of Ksh 9.5 billion.
According to SCR, the average increase over a two-year period is 7 to 10 percent, which includes the average annual grade increase of 3 percent.
The new teachers’ pay deal, though heralding a long-awaited increment, unfurls a tapestry of complexities that reach far beyond the numerical figures.
As teachers’ payslips reflect the changes, the balance between rise and deduction becomes apparent.
New Teachers Salary Per Job Group; CBA Winners and the Affected
