The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has now asking the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to conduct a new job evaluation in the teaching service as the country transition from the 8-4-4 system of education to Competence Based Education (CBE).
Speaking during the KNUT Nairobi branch elections on January 17, at City Primary school, KNUT First Vice-National Chairman Malel Lang’at stated that the last known Job Evaluation in the teaching service was conducted in 2015/2016 before the actual rollout of CBE, hence the teaching jobs in the novel CBE were not captured.
WATCH:
“As KNUT we beseech SRC to evaluate new jobs in the teaching service following the rollout of CBE which has occasioned new learning areas, additional duties and an exigency of various responsibilities for teachers. This calls for immediate Job Evaluation of Teachers and Curriculum Support Officers,” said Malel.
“There should be review and evaluation of the job roles and descriptions of teachers that can only be done, when Teachers Service Commission (TSC) moves ahead and constitute a Job Evaluation and Job Description Analysis Committee, for teachers and Curriculum Support Officers as a matter of urgency where unions are key participants as prime stakeholders,” he added.
According to Malel, their members should get commensurate pay where the salary offered for current CBE jobs is appropriate and in line with the teachers’ skills, experience, qualifications and requirements for the role itself, adding that TSC should offer a compensation package that truly reflects the value the teacher brings to the position.
“The pay should correspond to what the teacher offers learners under CBE and the school in general. The Constitution of Kenya 2010, Employment Act and SRC Act mandates ‘Equal Remuneration for Work of Equal Value.’ This principle requires TSC to provide commensurate pay to teachers based on their training, qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, duties, responsibilities, work-environment and related challenges,” said Malel.
ALSO READ:
President Ruto orders all Grade 10 learners to report to schools with or without fees, uniform
He observed that Article 41(1)(2) of the Constitution guarantees every person the right to fair labour practices, which includes fair Remuneration, while section 5(5) of the Employment Act explicitly states that an employer in this case TSC ”shall pay employees (teachers) equal remuneration for work of equal value ” hence, making it a legal requirement.
Malel reiterated that the drastic changes in the country’s Education System, since 2018 have progressively ushered in an entirely new teaching and learning model, resulting in a completely new format of Basic Education.
“As matter of fact, this calls for immediate and concrete measures and swift action by SRC to initiate structured, and all-inclusive process to evaluate jobs in the Public Teaching Service. The scenario demands that teachers upgrade their professional status, skills, pedagogies, competencies and experience of which they have successfully done through advancing their training to Diploma, Degree, Masters and PhD level including being tooled and retooled by TSC,” he said.
The unionist also stated that Heads of Institutions are administrators/principals without any portfolios manning two schools in one: Primary school and Junior School, adding that they should be compensated since majority of them acquired postgraduate qualifications.
“We implore SRC to provide direction on job descriptions which is critical to effective Job Evaluation. This exercise should be conducted in line with Section 24.2 of the 2025/2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Moreover we expect TSC to invoke Section 24.1 of the CBA to modify the CBA once SRC has conducted Job Evaluation, and made recommendations,” said Malel.
He further called for immediate review of the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) which has led to stagnation of teachers. “CPG review must be done to address stagnation of teachers, issues promotion especially where stagnation has been the order of the day. At state house walimu Na rais forum the president directed immediate review within 60 days. Five months down the line we are yet to see tangible action.”
By Roy Hezron
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
