Teachers Arena can authoritatively reveal a move by key players to force the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to revisit its earlier position of agreeing to pay teachers for the period schools are closed due to coronavirus pandemic. On wednesday last week TSC assured teachers that they will continue to receive there salaries despite schools been closed as they are not the architect of the current quagmire.
“As of now, there is no plan to stop paying teachers. This is because it is not the teacher who has refused to go to class. Schools are closed due to the Covid-19. If the teacher is called upon to resume teaching, they will do so the following day, so long as conditions are right,” said Beatrice Wababu, TSC Director of Communications.
But immediately followed a series of activities deliberately aimed to protest against this move which will see teachers pocket at least twenty billion monthly till when schools reopen later in January next year.
Last week deranged teachers took to social media to denounce The Standard Newspaper’s headline on 9th July 2020, which read “TSC employed teachers shall enjoy their full pay while idle” The teachers who cited the headline as disrespectful, disparaging and inciting called for a boycott of the Standardmedia newspapers and KTN news channel till they apologize for the mischief reporting.
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However it did not end their with Standardmedia reporter Protus Onyango as now major players have joined for call to either pay teachers only subsistence allowances rather than full pay or an alternative be sought to justify the teachers salaries paid from the public coffers. Subsistence allowance is money to a worker to pay for necessities only like food and rent.
A recent move by popular TV and Radio stations seems to suggest that its wrong for teachers to continue earning with nothing to do while putting the entire blame on the teachers employer. The heightened debate further suggest teachers should be given tasks that can justify there continued pay.
They further suggest in many articles that teachers should be used in other national projects like bridge or even road constructions. That teachers can be used in many ways including mitigating effects of covid-19 which has led to rampant teenage pregnancies.
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But the teachers employer last week through its social media handles assured teachers they will be paid on top also they should expect a salary increment by end of July as it will implement a CBA signed in 2017 and is expected to come to an end this month. The CBA 2017-2021 was signed between TSC and teachers unions Knut and Kuppet.
“Key among our achievements is the signing of the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement with teachers’ unions.
The fourth phase of CBA implementation comes at the end of this month. Another crucial achievement is the automation of TSC services and especially the T-Pay system through which you approve and monitor your third party financial transactions.
As the Covid 19 situation keeps on evolving, we encourage you to continue staying safe. Together we shall conquer the challenges of the “new normal” of living with the virus and continue serving our great nation.” said the head of TSC communications through TSC Kenya facebook handle.
Teachers Arena position is that the debate on teachers salaries on whether they should continue to earn while still at home is uncalled for during this harsh times brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Like what TSC said teachers it is not the teacher who has refused to go to class. Schools are closed due to the Covid-19. If the teacher is called upon to resume teaching, they will do so the following day, so long as conditions are right. The debate is blunt and debased and most are not aware how teachers are engaging learners through online classes and other ways despite schools being closed.
Its the right of the teachers to be paid. This idle debates from media that teachers salary to be slashed is evil hunt to them. Kindly respect teachers and respect yourself.
Bring the kids back to school and we will teach.this debate is uncalled for.
We are working from home… preparing notes and engaging students online.
The assumption that teachers are idle at home is wrong… besides, there is a duty rota for teachers and we are in school when required .
This kind of debate is fuelled by people who don’t see any value in teachers. If there are people who deserve the best pay and respect , it should be teachers.
During this time of the pandemic, personally I have attended workshops on ICT in learning and Kiswahili seminars. If GOD permits, I will be attending the English workshop and all these are geared towards bettering the education of our children. I would have loved to continue teaching via the internet only that I am limited by the fact that we are in remote villages where parents cannot afford smart phones, therefore learners can not access the internet. Teachers are willing to serve any time.
I simply don’t understand why the salary a teacher is receiving during thecovid 19 pandemic is even an issue to discuss.. Covid was not brought by the teacher.. Tsc is simply cushioning her employees against effects of covid and those who are discussing the teacher’s pay to be slashed are malicious
Kenya and most African countries don’t value teachers as vital people in the society&country at large.Teachers are the source of knowledge in all careers.Even politicians don’t venture I’m politics without papers to show how a teacher imparted knowledge to him/her.Even God values teachers because he sent prophets and Jesus to teach people His word.Whoever looks down upon teachers will lack strong knowledge foundation for his own family for God blesses those who appreciate what others do to him/her.Politiciansare the most idlers who ever earn salary but why against teachers are the backbone of of skilled personnels and Wealth in a country as knowledge from the teachers empowers people to make their lives better.Let teachers enjoy their relief from the burdens of imparting knowledge!If teachers are not to be paid,politicians should be the first people to be denied salary as they enjoy salary yet idle!Stop being jealous,God will Denny your children knowledge because it comes from the brain&heart of a teacher.
This country has so many idlers hi think the only thing they can write about is the teachers.A journalist worthy his title should look for something else to write about.Teachers are in duty 24/7.Shame on lazy journalist.Jipeni shuguli
Teachers just like the army should be paid their full salaries without any much ado.They play a pivotal role in building a better and informed society, which generates more income for the country. The soldiers must draw salaries even when they are not in the battle-field simply because they mean well for the state. The same applies to the teachers let us handle our tutors well.
I wonder why teachers are always the most hunted. Kenyans should find something constructive to do. They always say that teachers earn peanuts. Is it the same peanuts they are complaining about?
What teachers have always been earning is in itself subsistence compared to salaries of those bringing about this debate.
The reason why most people live and die poor is jelousy.Some people still believe that if they are suffering,all should suffer so that we are all equal.
Can’t these so called debaters QUARANTINE in their homes and stop yapping! Is the money from their homes? Are teachers not parents with kids at home too?? Give us a break!
Stop insinuating that money from public coffers is going in vain. Style up.
Teachers just like the army should be paid their full salaries without any much ado.They play a pivotal role in building a better and informed society, which generates more income for the country. The soldiers must draw salaries even when they are not in the battle-field simply because they mean well for the state. The same applies to the teachers let us handle our tutors well.
Nobody is talking about the mps because they have guns to shoot any idiots around.
No teacher is on leave, the teacher is only on leave with a written permission.. Infact this month there will be pay rise.. Kwani walimu ndo wallets Corona kenya
Who denied anyone a chance to become a teacher?
Kindly let the teachers be! Everyone out there passed through the hands of a teacher right from the early years upto whatever level of education one managed to get to. In fact teachers should be earning the highest on the land as in some countries where a teacher is held with esteem.
If teachers are not to be paid it should start with the tsc officials and all MOE officials who will they be serving? All soldiers in the barracks should also stop being paid so long as the country is not in war with any other country. If a handful people can take tea worthy millions! Why not pay the teachers their peanuts?
Those that are envious about teachers getting their salaries are just evil and seems they have nothing better to do with their time.Teachers let’s forgive them.
Please if your employer does not cushon you from effects of Covid 19, just change and become a teacher where the employer does.
We would equally ask government to stop paying soldiers untill there is war!!
Teacher’s salary is very crucial to the small business community and the general economy as well !!
You are who you are because of the teachers
People are breathing and eating coz of teachers sweat. I wonder how/where such ill- spoken lot got their merit from if not through great teachers . Think twice. You will be cursed – take care and good luck with it.
Comment Text*A teacher is the CPU of knowledge and all spheres of skills which spins the economy of a country…avoid curses by not speaking ill of your mentors
Heshima kwa walimu is necessary. Teachers are fully on duty unless
Someone is not aware of this naked truth.
Leave alone teachers….what is so unique about teachers that they have such misguided characters as their enemies????many in fact majority of those calling for stoppage of teachers salary never made it in school or they cheated in their final national Exams….idiots
Why should teachers be paid?
1) All govt employees who have been given covid-19 leave are earning to mitigate them from the effect of the disease
2)We have the Code of conduct for teachers and the reasons why a teacher should be denied salary of given half salary are well stipulated.
3) Teachers salary has been committed up to the last coin, loans, insurance, etc thus if the teacher is denied salary, the economy will feel it.
4) It will against the constitution to deny teachers salary why while other employees of the govt are earning some of them arrive ta work at 11am and leave at 1pm, while the teacher starts work at 7am up to 5pm but for boarding schools it is 24/7.
Challenge
Before you open your mouth wide and throw venom, it will be prudent to engage your brain first.
Open the school today having put in place facilities to prevent covid 19 and you will see teachers going to work. Teachers do not derive pleasure by not being at workplace.
Benchmark with other countries, because covid19 is global. Did they stop teachers salary during this period, and even before you do the research, the and is NO.
Teachers are on duty just last week we hosted officials from the ministry of education monitoring school feeding program in our schools. We are filling assessment tools on corona virus band many other data that is required by Tsc and Moest. Most Moest and Tsc officers are working at home. Let the tsc then stop the pandemic to allow trs resume work.
Teachers play a vital role in boosting the Kenyan economy. Talk of the many bank loans! Vehicles owned by teachers that are offering transport in our roads! Business employees paid by that teacher’s salary! Not naming the many tenants living in teachers houses as of now and not paying rent! Stop teachers salary and you will have started another deadly corona all by itself! A single teachers salary is looked upon by a good number of Kenyans! Take good advice and leave teachers alone to enjoy their salaries and avoid the chaos that you will have ushered the country into by making that evil decision.
Walimu wataendelea kulipwa. Kama inawauma ONDOENI COVID 19 Kenya.
Let them be informed that they are where they are because of the effort of their teachers… Kindly respect the mentors
How can they talk all those non sense to those who taught them
Kindly respect teachers!
Na kama ni Pepo anawasumbua nyie wenye roho mbaya Shindwe katika jina la Yesu!!!