Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Limit Teachers’ Acting Roles to Six Months.
A significant development is unfolding in the education sector as a lawmaker introduces a new Bill in Parliament. This Bill aims to regulate the duration teachers can hold acting administrative roles, ensuring they receive due compensation. If the National Assembly passes the Teachers Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024, it will greatly benefit many teachers currently acting in administrative roles without financial remuneration.
In March, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) promoted 36,505 teachers. However, many others were left out despite being interviewed, largely due to insufficient funds allocated to the TSC. This lack of promotions has been a persistent issue, with the TSC struggling to fill vacant positions last year because many teachers didn’t meet the stringent requirements, a problem attributed to prolonged stagnation in the same job groups.
Details of the Proposed Bill
The proposed Bill seeks to amend Section 11 of No. 20 of the TSC Act, 2012. A new paragraph will be added to facilitate the payment of allowances to teachers, in consultation with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, as outlined in the Fourth Schedule. Additionally, the Bill introduces Section 32A, setting the minimum period a teacher can act in an administrative role at 30 days and capping it at six months. It also stipulates that only qualified teachers should be appointed to act and that they can only hold one acting position at a time. Those acting will be entitled to a special duty allowance.
Mandera South MP Abdul Haro, while presenting the Bill to Parliament, emphasized its aim to instill fairness and structure in appointing teachers to acting roles. He pointed out that many teachers hold these positions without proper appointments or compensation, creating an unfair situation.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Collins Oyuu has voiced strong support for the Bill. He highlighted that it aligns with common labor practices, which typically do not allow acting roles to exceed six months. Oyuu criticized the TSC’s practice of appointing teachers to acting roles without issuing formal appointment letters, often referring to these roles as mere “assignment of duties.”
Current Compensation Issues
Teachers appointed in acting capacities often do not receive monetary compensation. An example of a letter seen by Eduation Point stated that a teacher was assigned head teacher duties temporarily, with no mention of financial remuneration. The Bill aims to rectify this by ensuring teachers receive allowances such as house allowance, commuter allowance, leave allowance, hardship allowance for those in designated hardship areas, and responsibility allowances.
The issue of allowances and promotions was recently discussed during a retreat between the TSC and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET). Despite discussions, no agreement was reached on compensating teachers in acting roles. KUPPET argued that acting administrators should receive acting and special duty allowances as per the Code of Regulations for Teachers. However, the TSC countered that such positions were abolished by SRC circulars and are therefore non-compensable. KUPPET maintains that this practice violates the law.
Another retreat is scheduled between the TSC and KNUT in Naivasha, Nakuru County, aiming to further discuss these pressing issues.
In conclusion. the Teachers Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024 represents a significant step towards ensuring fairness and proper compensation for teachers in acting roles. If passed, it will address long-standing issues of unpaid acting roles and provide a structured approach to teacher appointments. With strong support from KNUT and ongoing discussions, the Bill has the potential to bring about much-needed change in the education sector.
By introducing this Bill, the government aims to create a more equitable system for teachers, ensuring they are recognized and compensated for their contributions. This change is crucial for improving morale and encouraging more teachers to aspire to administrative roles, ultimately benefiting the education system as a whole.
Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Limit Teachers’ Acting Roles to Six Months.
Check for Daily Updates
Follow us on Telegram