MPs Grill TSC Over Hardship Allowances and Unequal Teacher Distribution Across Counties

The Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC) is under pressure to revise its hardship allowance policy and address concerns over the unequal distribution of teachers across the country.

Appearing before the National Assembly’s Education Committee on Thursday, June 19, Acting TSC Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei faced tough questions from MPs who raised concerns about the inequities in hardship allowances and staffing disparities.

Siaya County Woman Representative Christine Ombaka criticized the current classification system, questioning why some teachers in urban areas like Nairobi receive higher hardship allowances than those serving in rural, marginalized regions with little infrastructure or amenities.

“The definition of hardship areas needs to be reconsidered,” Ombaka stated. “Teachers in remote regions endure very difficult conditions and deserve fair compensation.”

In response, Mitei clarified that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and the National Treasury are the entities responsible for defining hardship areas and determining the corresponding allowances.

“When we engage in collective bargaining, we present our recommendations to the SRC and Treasury,” Mitei explained. “They were the ones who came up with the classification. Once TSC receives that advisory, it is binding.”

Mitei acknowledged the inconsistencies in hardship and municipality allowances, adding, “We will take up the issue with the Public Service Commission.”

The MPs also tackled the unequal distribution of teachers across schools, pointing out that some schools were overstaffed while others were severely understaffed.

“We have schools with excess teachers and others with none, so that we can balance, and wherever there is need, Parliament can budget for recruitment,” Teso MP Mary Emaase said.

Her remarks were echoed by MP Eve Obara, who noted that students in under-staffed schools were being left behind, despite other institutions having more than enough teachers.

Lawmakers also questioned the criteria used by the Commission in recruiting teachers.

In response, Mitei emphasized that the TSC operates as an equal opportunity employer, guided by constitutional principles and relevant laws.

The session concluded with the committee urging TSC to push for more equitable staffing and allowance policies that truly reflect the working conditions of teachers across Kenya.

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MPs Grill TSC Over Hardship Allowances and Unequal Teacher Distribution Across Counties