Teachers In Hardship Zones Seek 40 Percent Allowance
Educators in challenging locations have requested that their hardship allowance be increased to 40 percent of their base salary.
These teachers, represented by the Kenya Teachers in Hardship and Arid Areas Welfare Association (KETHAWA), are advocating for a revision to incorporate this allowance in the upcoming collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) anticipated to be finalized before 30th June 2025.
At present, KETHAWA notes that the hardship allowance provided to educators in remote and arid areas does not adequately address their needs.
The association states that it is the sole allowance specifically aimed at accommodating the severe conditions under which teachers work, including isolation, inadequate infrastructure, absence of essential services, and insecurity in certain areas.
Teachers indicate that the policy fails to revise the allowance; thus, they will continue to face discrimination based on their placement.
They mention that their peers in more favorable settings benefit from improved conditions without the added challenges associated with teaching in remote locations.
KETHAWA is calling on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) along with relevant government bodies to take their request into serious consideration and ensure that the new CBAs acknowledge the difficulties educators face in hardship areas.
The advocacy group asserts that raising the hardship allowance will not only foster equity but also encourage teachers to stay in these challenging positions for enhanced service delivery and educational results in underprivileged regions.
The current CBAs are set to expire on 30th June 2025, with discussions for new terms currently underway. Nevertheless, the teachers remain optimistic that all their requests will be addressed prior to the deadline.
