The government has been asked to first consider salary increment for teachers before implementing the deduction of the 1.5 per cent Housing Levy.
Speaking on behalf of Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Collins Oyuu during the branch’s AGM held at Kebeneti Primary School grounds in Soin Sigowet Constituency, the Union National Deputy Treasurer of Kennedy Nyamwada said that teachers were not against the levy but only wanted to be cushioned against harsh economic times being witnessed in the country.
“We have been in close consultation with the government on the housing levy and as a union we have presented our opinion, one of the most critical being a salary increase to cushion teachers against the current harsh economic times,“ he said.
His sentiments were echoed by union Kericho branch Executive Secretary Ann Cheruiyot who called on the government not to implement any more deductions until their salaries were looked into afresh.
“It is so sad that our government has not lent a listening ear to the teachers of this country. Teachers are living in harsh economic times and the honorarium being paid by TSC can’t be compared to the workloads they have and the targets they are meant to meet. The best the government can do is to negotiate for an increase in our salary before deducting the housing levy,” she said.
Cheruiyot appealed to TSC to give full administrative power to Headteachers who have been given interim positions as Principals of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) in their institutions.
“The acting Principals who have received authorization letters should be given substantive positions as principals. As it stands, they do not have full powers to manage JSS. We are also demanding for confirmation of head teachers and their deputies who for years have served in acting capacities,” she added.
Former KNUT Secretary General and CAS Nominee for Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage Wilson Sossion appealed to teachers to be the lead ambassadors in the fight against adverse effects of climate change.
He encouraged teachers to register their schools with the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya so as to enjoy lower entrance and accommodation charges offered to members.
By Benedict Ng’etich
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