Revised TSC House Allowance Structure for Teachers Across Clusters, 2024
In Kenya, the education sector has long grappled with various challenges. One of the prominent issues on teachers’ minds is the house allowance.
To address the longstanding disparities in house allowances, the Teachers Service Commission recently introduced a revised structure for house allowances. The revised structure for house allowances categorizes regions based on clusters.
Teachers Updates delve into the details of the new house allowance structure and its implications for teachers across the nation.
The New TSC House Allowance Structure
The new house allowance structure categorizes regions into four clusters.
These clusters are based on the geographical location of the schools, with the aim of providing teachers with house allowances that align with the cost of living in their respective areas.
Cluster 1: Nairobi City
This cluster includes the capital city, Nairobi, known for its relatively high cost of living. Teachers in this cluster receive the highest house allowance, ranging from 3,850 KES to 6,750 KES, depending on their grade.
Cluster 2: Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru Cities, Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika, Kisii, Malindi, and Kitale Municipalities:
This cluster covers other major cities and municipalities, where the cost of living is relatively high compared to rural areas but lower than Nairobi.
House allowances in this cluster range from 4,500 KES to 10,000 KES.
Cluster 3: Other Former Municipalities
This cluster includes municipalities outside the major cities, where the cost of living is more moderate. Teachers here receive house allowances ranging from 3,850 KES to 12,800 KES.
Aslso Read: Primary Teacher II TSC Salary & Allowances (Grade B5, T Scale 5)
Cluster 4: All Other Areas
In this cluster, which encompasses rural and less urbanized regions, house allowances range from 3,850 KES to 21,508 KES.
It’s important to note that this new house allowance structure represents a substantial increase in the allowances provided to teachers in various clusters compared to the previous system.
| S/no | Grade | TSC Scale | Cluster 1 (Nairobi City) | Cluster 2 | Cluster 3 (Other Former Municipalities) | Cluster 4 (All Other Areas) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B5 | 5 | 6,750 | 4,500 | 3,850 | 3,850 |
| 2 | C1 | 6 | 10,000 | 7,500 | 5,800 | 5,000 |
| 3 | C2 | 7 | 16,500 | 12,800 | 9,600 | 8,133 |
| 4 | C3 | 8 | 28,000 | 22,000 | 16,500 | 14,055 |
| 5 | C4 | 9 | 28,000 | 22,000 | 16,500 | 14,055 |
| 6 | C5 | 10 | 35,000 | 25,500 | 18,000 | 16,184 |
| 7 | D1 | 11 | 45,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 | 18,066 |
| 8 | D2 | 12 | 45,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 | 18,066 |
| 9 | D3 | 13 | 45,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 | 18,066 |
| 10 | D4 | 14 | 45,000 | 28,000 | 21,000 | 18,066 |
| 11 | D5 | 15 | 50,000 | 35,000 | 25,000 | 21,508 |
Implications and Concerns:
While the government’s attempt to address regional disparities in house allowances is commendable, it has not been without criticism. Teachers’ unions and educators from various regions have raised concerns about the adequacy and fairness of the new structure.
Here are some key points of concern:
Inequity within Clusters: Critics argue that the broad categorization of regions into clusters overlooks the varying costs of living even within the same cluster. For example, within Cluster 2, there can be significant differences in living expenses between Nakuru City and Kisumu, leading to disparities in teachers’ standards of living.
Cost of Living Dynamics: The cost of living is not static and can change over time. Some regions may experience rapid inflation in housing and other essentials, which may not be adequately reflected in the current structure.
Neglected Rural Areas: Teachers in Cluster 4, covering rural areas, still face challenges. While the new structure increases their allowances, critics argue that more needs to be done to attract and retain quality educators in these regions.
Conclusion:
The new house allowance structure is a step towards addressing regional disparities in teachers’ compensation. It however remains a work in progress.
Ensuring fair and equitable living conditions for teachers across the nation is essential for the continued improvement of education system.
As the revised TSC house allowance structure takes effect in 2024, it marks a positive step towards acknowledging the vital role teachers play in shaping the future of the nation.
By addressing regional discrepancies and ensuring a more equitable distribution of house allowances, TSC demonstrates its commitment to fostering a supportive and conducive working environment for educators.
Keep Reading: Increased TSC Salary and Allowances for Lecturers, Primary, SNE, Secondary and Senior Teachers (GRADE C2 – T SCALE 7)
Revised TSC House Allowance Structure for Teachers Across Clusters
