- SNE teachers have stepped up pressure on TSC to implement President Ruto’s September 2025 directive granting them an additional job grade.
- Teachers have cited a 2017 TSC-SRC job evaluation and a 2023 parliamentary petition that recommended two additional job groups, saying nothing has changed since.
- Teachers have appealed to Commissioner Wilson Sossion to push their case, while also demanding a risk allowance and faster capitation disbursement to support SNE units.
Special Needs Education (SNE) teachers in Eldoret have stepped up pressure on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to implement a presidential directive granting them an additional job grade.
The educators argued that they had waited long enough for action and were now losing hope. The teachers said President William Ruto issued the directive in September 2025 during a meeting with representatives of the teaching fraternity at State House. However, almost a year later, they said the promised grade had not been implemented. SNE teacher Peter Mutai said the delay was disappointing, particularly after the President acknowledged the critical role played by teachers working with learners with special needs. “The grade has not been implemented to date, despite the recognition of the remarkable work we do,” Mutai said, urging the TSC to honour the directive as a demonstration of recognition of the specialised responsibilities shouldered by SNE teachers.
Scholastica Korir also appealed to President Ruto to put more pressure on the commission to implement the directive. “We have been patient enough, and we now feel that action should be taken,” she said. The teachers said the demand for improved remuneration was not new, with Ruth Njagi pointing to a 2017 job evaluation by the TSC and SRC that recommended two additional job groups for SNE teachers. “We, as SNE teachers, went to Parliament in 2023 to petition on the same issue, but nothing has changed,” Njagi said.
ALSO READ:
Grade 9 learners to pick from eight senior school choices as selection portal opens
Apart from the job grade, the teachers raised concerns over delayed capitation funds, saying the delays were affecting the smooth running of SNE units and disrupting both learning and co-curricular activities. They also want a risk allowance introduced to compensate teachers for the additional safety challenges associated with their work.
Sarah Keino appealed to Commissioner Wilson Sossion to help take up their concerns with the TSC, recalling his previous role as Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) secretary-general. “I want to thank Wilson Sossion for the remarkable work he did for us when he was the secretary-general of KNUT, and we ask him to help us push this matter,” Keino said. The teachers said their responsibilities extend well beyond teaching, with some required to feed learners, administer medication and attend to their personal hygiene, arguing that their current pay does not adequately reflect these responsibilities. “The pay does not align with the work, and we would really appreciate the increment. The TSC should care for our needs too, just as we care for these learners,” Keino said.
ALSO READ: PSSF plans mortgage and medical savings products for public servants
Sirima Mary said the absence of an age limit in SNE schools had exposed teachers to additional risks, with some institutions accommodating learners well into adulthood. “The SNE school does not have an age limit, and you find learners aged up to even 45 who are strong enough to push or beat teachers. We need a risk allowance because of the unpredictable harm that can be caused by these learners,” she said.
The teachers want the TSC and the national government to address the job grading, remuneration, capitation and safety concerns, warning that continued delays could further undermine the provision of specialised education.
By Kimutai Langat
Get more stories from our website: Education News
To write to us or offer feedback, you can reach us at: editor@educationnews.co.ke
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
