Plight of Unpaid JSS Teachers Ends After Reading of National Budget
Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers recruited by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in January have been grappling with the harsh reality of unpaid salaries.
These teachers were deployed by the government to address the teacher shortage and support the implementation of the Competency Based Curriculum. However, due to various reasons, they have not received their salaries since then.
This unfortunate situation has led to an outcry from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet).
Teachersupdates.co.ke understands that JSS teacher’ salaries, including arrears, are set to be disbursed after the reading of the national budget.
Both unions emphasize the urgent need for the TSC to fulfill its responsibility and disburse the outstanding salaries owed to these dedicated educators.
The delay in payments has resulted in severe financial strains and psychological torture for the affected teachers.
Plight of JSS Teachers:
The delayed salaries have resulted in many teachers accumulating debts and being unable to meet their basic needs.
“The same JSS teachers are forced to purchase their own teaching materials, including textbooks, pens, writing pads and chalks.” Says KUPPET.
The intern teachers were promised access to a group medical scheme as part of their employment benefits.
However, they have not yet received these benefits, further exacerbating their financial burdens.
This situation raises questions about the government’s commitment to the well-being of its teachers and their access to essential healthcare services.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) have joined forces to advocate for the immediate payment of salaries owed to JSS teachers.
Leading officials from both unions, including Julius Korir, Kuppet’s national vice-president, Ronald Tonui, Kuppet’s national deputy treasurer, and Henry Obwocha, Kuppet’s secondary education secretary, have collectively urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to address this pressing issue.
They emphasize that these teachers have financial obligations to meet, and the TSC’s delay in payment has had devastating consequences for their livelihoods.
Ronald Tonui, Kuppet’s national deputy treasurer, highlights that some JSS teachers have only received one month’s salary since their recruitment.
This departure from the established practice has dealt a significant blow to the morale of the teachers and further exacerbated the already precarious situation in JSS.
Many of these teachers work far away from their homes, with no access to teachers’ quarters at their assigned workstations. As a result, they are unable to afford transportation to and from work or cover their family’s medical expenses.
The combination of unpaid salaries and these challenging circumstances has placed an enormous burden on the affected teachers, leading to psychological distress.
Adverse Implications on Education Quality
The delay in salary payments to JSS teachers undermines the efforts to enhance the quality of education in Kenya.
Teachers play a crucial role in shaping the future of children, and it is imperative that they receive timely and adequate compensation for their tireless work.
The failure to meet these financial obligations sends a disheartening message to educators and compromises their dedication and motivation.
Furthermore, the financial strains imposed on these teachers force some to turn to shylocks and loan sharks for financial assistance, exacerbating their difficulties.
Consequently, the overall educational environment suffers, as educators, burdened by financial stress, may find it challenging to focus on delivering quality education to their students.
Mr. Tonui emphasizes the urgency of the matter, emphasizing that the TSC must address the issue of unpaid salaries immediately.
The teachers are enduring immense hardships, including having their houses locked by landlords due to unpaid rent and the inability to afford transportation or medical expenses for their families.
The situation has caused significant psychological torment for these teachers, affecting their overall well-being and ability to perform effectively in the classroom.
Recognizing the critical role of teachers and the impact of their work, it is essential for the TSC to fulfill its responsibility and ensure timely salary payments to these deserving educators.
JSS teachers currently work under primary school headteachers, which has created reporting challenges.
This organizational structure could potentially lead to a collapse of the Competency Based Curriculum, as primary schools may lack the necessary infrastructure to support the new system.
“Kuppet demands that JSS teachers be paid all their salary arrears,” said Mr Misori.
Plight of Unpaid JSS Teachers Ends After Reading of National Budget
