Teachers across the country have urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to urgently address persistent technical challenges affecting the T-Pay ICT system, saying the disruptions have significantly delayed access to loans and caused financial hardship.
Concerns have been raised about the continued malfunction of the platform that teachers use to apply for and manage loans. According to affected teachers, the system’s failure has made it difficult to book and process loans needed for both personal and professional commitments.
The delays have reportedly left many teachers struggling to meet critical financial obligations, including payment of school fees, rent and supplier invoices. Some have incurred penalties for late payments, while others have seen construction and development projects stall due to lack of funds for materials and labour.
Teachers say the prolonged waiting period has also increased the cost of planned projects as prices of goods and services continue to rise. Many who had budgeted based on expected loan disbursements now face higher expenses than initially anticipated.
The situation has further affected teachers seeking to take advantage of investment opportunities, business tenders, and discounted purchases that require immediate payment. With loan approvals and disbursements delayed, some have reportedly turned to costly alternative lenders to bridge the gap, exposing them to high interest rates and additional debt burdens.
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Stakeholders note that delayed access to loans can also negatively affect teachers’ creditworthiness, especially when financial obligations are not met on time. This has raised concerns about potential damage to credit scores and relationships with lenders.
Beyond the financial implications, teachers say the uncertainty surrounding the T-Pay system has caused emotional stress and disrupted household financial planning.
Education stakeholders are now calling on TSC to prioritise the repair and stabilisation of the platform to ensure seamless loan processing. They argue that a reliable and efficient T-Pay system is essential in supporting teachers’ financial well-being and enabling them to meet their obligations without unnecessary delays.
The commission is yet to issue an official statement regarding the reported technical challenges and the timelines for restoring normal operations.
By Kithinji Njeru
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