Teachers In Hardship Zones Seek 40 Percent Allowance
Educators employed in challenging regions have requested an increase in their hardship allowance to be established at 40 percent of their base salary.
These instructors, operating under the auspices of the Kenya Teachers in Hardship and Arid Areas Welfare Association (KETHAWA), are advocating for an amendment to incorporate the aforementioned allowance into the forthcoming collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) that are anticipated to be finalized prior to 30th June 2025.
Presently, KETHAWA observes that the hardship allowance allocated to teachers serving in remote and arid locations does not adequately address the prevailing circumstances.
As per the association, it is the sole allowance that specifically addresses the severe conditions under which educators operate, including isolation, inadequate infrastructure, absence of essential services, and insecurity in certain areas.
Instructors assert that the policy does not reassess the allowance; consequently, they will persist in experiencing discrimination based on their assigned postings.
They contend that their peers working in more advantageous settings enjoy superior conditions without the additional challenges associated with teaching in isolated locales.
KETHAWA is imploring the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) along with the appropriate government bodies to seriously contemplate their request and ensure that the new CBAs encapsulate the adversities that educators face in hardship regions.
The advocacy group maintains that augmenting the hardship allowance will not only foster equity but will also incentivize teachers to remain in those arduous positions for enhanced service delivery and educational outcomes in marginalized areas.
The existing CBAs are set to expire on 30th June 2025, with negotiations for revised terms presently underway. Nonetheless, the educators remain optimistic that all their requests will be addressed before the deadline.