A storm is brewing in the education sector after the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) announced a Sh36 monthly salary increase for teachers — a move that has been widely condemned by educators and their unions as “insulting” and “disrespectful.”
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Secretary General Akelo Misori did not mince words during a fiery press briefing held in Nairobi.
Visibly frustrated, Misori said, “This amount can’t even buy cooking oil. It’s a mockery of the sacrifices teachers make every day in classrooms across the country.”
The salary increment comes amid a nationwide outcry over the rising cost of living, with basic commodities such as cooking oil, maize flour, and electricity becoming increasingly unaffordable for most Kenyan households.
Teachers argue that the increment is not only insufficient but also highlights the government’s disregard for the critical role educators play.
“Teachers are demoralized. Instead of incentivizing us to improve learning outcomes, the TSC is giving us crumbs,” said a high school teacher from Kisumu who preferred to remain anonymous.
According to union officials, the Sh36 increment is part of a much-delayed salary review process under the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). However, the negligible figure has left many teachers questioning whether the review process was genuine or simply a bureaucratic formality.
KUPPET has demanded an immediate and comprehensive renegotiation of the CBA, threatening industrial action if their concerns are not addressed.
“We are not asking for luxury. We are asking for dignity. A salary that allows teachers to live decently and support their families,” Misori added.
The Teachers Service Commission has yet to issue an official statement in response to the backlash.
Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount on both TSC and the Ministry of Education to act swiftly and restore teachers’ confidence in the system.
As Kenya gears up for the reopening of schools, the dissatisfaction among educators could disrupt learning if a resolution is not reached quickly.
By Creatorhub