KUPPET Rejects SRC Salary Increments for Teachers, Says Salary Gap Has Hit 60%.
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has rejected the latest salary increments proposed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), arguing that the review has widened the salary disparity between teachers and other public servants while failing to address long-standing concerns over teachers’ welfare.
The union maintained that the proposed salary adjustments do not adequately compensate teachers amid the rising cost of living and undermine previous gains achieved through salary harmonisation across the public service.
KUPPET Criticises Proposed Salary Adjustments
Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday, KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori said the proposed salary review fell significantly below teachers’ expectations and accused the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of failing to effectively protect the interests of teachers during the remuneration review process.
According to Misori, teachers are expected to receive salary increments ranging between Sh900 and Sh2,000 under the current proposals, while other categories of public servants have reportedly received substantially higher salary adjustments.
“The salary harmonisation we fought for during the Grand Coalition Government has been reversed. The salary gap between teachers and comparable civil servants has now risen to more than 60 per cent,” Misori said.
“Teachers have been given a CBA increment of only between Sh900 and Sh2,000, while civil servants have received much better benefits,” he added.
Union Says Salary Harmonisation Has Been Reversed
KUPPET stated that the proposed salary review reverses the objectives of the salary harmonisation programme implemented during the Grand Coalition Government, which sought to align teachers’ remuneration with that of public officers performing comparable duties and possessing similar qualifications.
The union argued that the widening salary gap has eroded progress made under previous remuneration reviews and has left teachers disadvantaged compared to other public sector employees.
Salary reviews for teachers have remained a recurring issue during Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations, with teacher unions consistently demanding improved basic salaries, enhanced allowances and full implementation of negotiated agreements.
The current CBA negotiations have attracted significant attention from teachers across the country, many of whom expected more substantial salary adjustments following increases in the cost of living.
KUPPET Raises Concerns Over Teachers’ Medical Cover
In addition to salary concerns, KUPPET criticised the implementation of healthcare services under the Social Health Authority (SHA), stating that teachers continue to experience delays in accessing medical treatment despite regular deductions being made from their salaries.
Misori said the government had failed to implement commitments made during engagements held in March and April regarding teachers’ medical cover.
“SHA has failed to honour the commitments we agreed on in March and April. Teachers are still facing delays in treatment, system failures and being forced to pay from their own pockets for services that should be covered,” Misori said.
The union cited reports that teachers seeking specialised medical services, including in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), are being required to meet significant costs despite expectations that such services would be covered under the existing medical scheme.
“It is unacceptable that teachers seeking IVF services are being asked to pay up to Sh250,000 for diagnostics,” Misori added.
KUPPET Warns of Possible Industrial Action
KUPPET warned that teachers could resort to industrial action if the concerns surrounding healthcare provision and remuneration are not addressed.
The union called on the Teachers Service Commission to consider providing an alternative comprehensive medical cover should challenges experienced under the Social Health Authority continue.
Teachers have in recent years raised concerns over delays in treatment approvals, system downtimes and increasing out-of-pocket medical expenses, with teacher unions maintaining that access to reliable healthcare remains an essential component of employee welfare.
Union Calls for Dialogue on Teachers’ Welfare
KUPPET maintained that improving teachers’ welfare requires comprehensive interventions beyond salary increments, including equitable remuneration, dependable medical cover and full implementation of negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreements.
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The union urged the Government of Kenya, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and the Teachers Service Commission to engage teachers through meaningful dialogue aimed at addressing widening salary disparities and restoring confidence in the ongoing remuneration review process.
“We are asking the government to treat teachers fairly because quality education depends on a motivated and well-supported teaching workforce,” Misori said.
KUPPET Rejects SRC Salary Increments for Teachers, Says Salary Gap Has Hit 60%.
