Teachers to lose hardship allowance in some areas
Teachers to lose hardship allowance in some areas
Teachers are concerned as a result of the Teachers Service Commission’s recent action to reclaim excessive payments from their pay stubs, notably in the hardship and dwelling allowance categories. The government’s action has caused concern among educators.
Payment of hardship allowance in places that have grown over time, with the assumption that these areas no longer qualify as hardship zones. A report on the review of hardship zones is due to be delivered in parliament soon, which is raising concern among teachers in these areas.
Teachers working in difficult places are concerned about prospective legislative decisions. The research divides hardship locations into three categories: extreme hardship, average hardship, and minor hardship, which may result in payment suspensions in certain places.
This debate arises from a public petition calling for the Rachuonyo North constituency to be designated as a hardship region due to substantial poverty and issues in its schools, such as low student enrollment and understaffing.
To boost teacher morale and improve the education sector, the petition calls for the establishment of clear criteria for categorizing areas as hardship regions or not.In the 2021-2025 period, several regions were officially designated as Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) and hard-to-staff areas by the commission, including various sub-counties in counties like Baringo, Garissa, Homa Bay, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, Mandera, Marsabit, Kitui, Narok, Samburu, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Turkana, Wajir, and West Pokot.It’s important to note that not all regions mentioned above fall into the hardship region category, and some apply only to specific sub-counties rather than the entire county. Additionally, certain areas like Nyando, Lungalunga, Suba, Chonyi, and parts of Nandi continue to receive hardship allowance payments.
