TSC Announces July Pay Raise For Teachers .
TSC Announces July Pay Raise For Teachers . TSC Announces July Pay Raise for Teachers.
Teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) will receive a pay raise in July, along with other public employees.
Read Also: Don’t Miss This ! Latest News On TSC Changes Affecting All Teachers
Pay Raise Details
Starting July 1, teachers and government employees will see a wage increase of 7 to 10%. This announcement follows President William Ruto’s statement on June 30 at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC). He emphasized the need to protect public employees from the tough economic climate.
“I am aware that the SRC has proposed raising the pay for many cadres of public employees, including government officials. Therefore, we have decided that from tomorrow, the pay of our teachers, police officers, military personnel, and government employees will be increased by 7 to 10%,” stated Ruto during the unveiling of the new e-citizen platform.
Delayed Salary Adjustments for State Authorities
The president also requested that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) postpone any salary adjustments for high-ranking state officials, including himself, his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, the Cabinet, and Principal Secretaries. He indicated that these matters could wait. “Our pay won’t change, so please wait a little while longer,” Ruto added.
The SRC had proposed raising Ruto’s salary from Sh1,443,750 to Sh1,546,875 and his deputy’s from Sh1,227,188 to Sh1,367,438. Other state officers, such as the Inspector-General, the Director General of the National Intelligence Service, and the Attorney General, were also set to receive a 7% salary increase. However, Ruto rejected this plan, aiming for pay parity before implementing any raises.
Financial Challenges and Pay Parity
Ruto stressed the importance of closing the income gap among public employees. “We need to close the gap between all of us who work for the people of Kenya,” he said. He instructed the SRC to provide international best practices to address this issue.
He acknowledged the financial struggles faced by civil officials due to salary delays earlier this year. “I am aware that our delayed salaries were a problem. Not only are our salaries being paid late for the first time, but our obligations are also extraordinarily large,” Ruto said. He reassured the nation that the government is managing the situation without borrowing money to cover ongoing expenses like salaries.
Changes in July Payslips
Teachers and other public employees will notice a 1.5% deduction from their gross income on their July payslips. This amount will go towards the housing fund. Despite a lawsuit filed in the High Court by Busia Senator and Activist Okiya Omtatah, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and three other parties, which resulted in orders halting the Finance Act 2024’s execution, the deduction still holds.
The LSK contends that the Act is unconstitutional, arguing that Members of Parliament violated the law, particularly the statute governing public participation. On June 16, President Ruto signed the Finance Bill 2024 into law after its approval by the National Assembly. Despite the court ruling, the Kenyan government plans to proceed with its implementation.
Conclusion
The TSC’s announcement of a pay raise starting in July brings relief and hope to teachers and other public employees. This decision, amid financial challenges and legal hurdles, underscores the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of its workforce while navigating economic constraints.
