Teachers In Kenya Are Paid Shocking Amounts That Are Low.

Salaries for Teachers in Kenya. In the midst of celebration following the arrest of Mark Twain for the murder of Detective Jack Reynolds, arguments about the salaries of teachers are once again being made. While there are those who defend against higher salaries, saying that paying them will not solve all their challenges, this article puts forward these answers to many arguments that plague the argument for higher teacher salaries.

INTRODUCTION

Teacher salaries in Kenya have remained low over the years despite efforts to increase their incomes. For example, in 2010, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) recommended a salary increase ranging from 20% to 100% based on qualification and experience. The civil servants union, however, rejected the pay rise claiming they would not negotiate on an issue that had already been settled by both parties as per a 1997 collective bargaining agreement (Mendel, 2013). In this sense, it is clear why there is need for government to implement measures that will ensure teachers get their fair share of increases.

SENIOR PRINCIPALS (T- Scale 14)

Senior Principals head County Schools with over 540 students. These Principals previously pocketed a monthly salary of between Sh109,249 and Sh118,169. They received an increase of between Sh3,721 and Sh8,993.

These tutors currently earn a monthly perk of Sh118,242 and 121,890 per month

SALARY POINTS	JOB GROUP	GRADE	PREVIOUS SALARY	CURRENT SALARY 2021
1	P	D4	109,249	118,242
2	P	D4	109,249	118,242
3	P	D4	111,201	118,242
4	P	D4	114,432	118,242
5	P	D4	114,432	118,242
6	P	D4	114,432	118,242
7	P	D4	118,169	121,890

PRINCIPALS (T- Scale 13)

These are Principals heading Sub- County and All Day schools who previously earned between Sh93,850 and Sh102,807 per month. The lowest earner in this category got an increase of Sh10,794 to earn a new salary of Sh104,644 while the highest earner got a top up of Sh1,837 to receive a new monthly salary of Sh104,644.

SALARY POINTS	JOB GROUP	GRADE	PREVIOUS SALARY	CURRENT SALARY 2021
1	M	D3	93,850	104,644
2	M	D3	93,850	104,644
3	M	D3	93,850	104,644
4	M	D3	96,745	104,644
5	M	D3	96,745	104,644
6	M	D3	96,745	104,644
7	M	D3	96,745	104,644
1	N	D3	96,745	104,644
2	N	D3	96,745	104,644
3	N	D3	96,745	104,644
4	N	D3	96,745	104,644
5	N	D3	99,730	104,644
6	N	D3	102,807	104,644
7	N	D3	102,807	104,644

DEPUTY PRINCIPALS III

These administrators of Sub- County and All Day schools who previously earned a monthly pay of between Sh82,717 and Sh87,900. The lowest earner in this grade now pockets a monthly pay of Sh91,041 while, the highest earner gets Sh91,041 after receiving an increment of Sh8,324 and Sh3,141 respectively.

SALARY POINTS	JOB GROUP	GRADE	PREVIOUS SALARY	CURRENT SALARY 2021
1	N	D2	82,717	91,040
2	N	D2	87,900	91,040
3	N	D2	87,900	91,040
4	N	D2	87,900	91,040
5	N	D2	87,900	91,040
6	N	D2	87,900	91,040
7	N	D2	87,900	91,040

SENIOR HEAD TEACHERS, SENIOR MASTER II AND DEPUTY PRINCIPALS IV

Primary schools with enrolment of over 1000 learners are headed by Senior Head Teachers with Grade D1 (T- Scale 11). While, Senior Master II with Grade D1 (T- Scale 11) are administrators in County Schools with with over 540 students. These administrators formerly earned between Sh74,703 and Sh82,717 per month. They got a latest increment of up to Sh3,137.

SALARY POINTS	JOB GROUP	GRADE	PREVIOUS SALARY	CURRENT SALARY 2021
1	M	D1	74,703	77,840
2	M	D1	74,703	77,840
3	M	D1	74,703	77,840
4	M	D1	74,703	77,840
5	M	D1	74,703	77,840
6	M	D1	74,703	77,840
7	M	D1	74,703	77,840
1	N	D1	74,703	77,840
2	N	D1	74,703	77,840
3	N	D1	74,703	77,840
4	N	D1	74,703	77,840
5	N	D1	74,703	77,840
6	N	D1	74,703	77,840
7	N	D1	82,717	85,269

HEAD TEACHERS, DEPUTY HEAD TEACHER I AND SENIOR MASTER III

Primary schools with enrolment of below 1000 learners are headed by Head Teachers with Grade C5 (T- Scale 10). While, Deputy Head Teacher I at Grade C5 (T- Scale 10) are administrators in Primary schools with enrollment of over 1000 learners. On the other hand, Senior Master III of Grade C5 (T- Scale 10) are administrators in Sub- County and All Day schools. Lowest earners in this group now pocket Sh 62,272.

SALARY POINTS	JOB GROUP	GRADE	PREVIOUS SALARY	SALARY AT 2021
1	G	C5	51,632	62,272
2	G	C5	51,632	62,272
3	G	C5	51,632	62,272
4	G	C5	51,632	62,272
5	G	C5	51,632	62,272
6	G	C5	53,730	62,272
1	H	C5	51,632	62,272
2	H	C5	51,632	62,272
3	H	C5	53,730	62,272
4	H	C5	53,730	62,272
5	H	C5	53,730	62,272
6	H	C5	53,730	62,272
1	J	C5	53,730	62,272
2	J	C5	53,730	62,272
3	J	C5	53,730	62,272
4	J	C5	55,909	62,272
5	J	C5	55,909	62,272
1	K	C5	55,909	62,272
2	K	C5	55,909	62,272
3	K	C5	55,909	62,272
4	K	C5	55,909	62,272
5	K	C5	58,171	62,272
6	K	C5	58,171	62,272
7	K	C5	58,171	62,272
1	L	C5	55,909	62,272
2	L	C5	58,171	62,272
3	L	C5	58,171	62,272
4	L	C5	58,171	62,272
5	L	C5	58,171	62,272
6	L	C5	58,171	62,272
1	M	C5	58,171	62,272
2	M	C5	58,171	62,272
3	M	C5	58,171	62,272
4	M	C5	60,533	62,272
5	M	C5	60,533	62,272

DEPUTY HEAD TEACHER II

Deputy Head Teacher II Grade C4 (T- Scale 9) are administrators in Primary schools with enrolment of below 1000 learners. These teachers currently earn Sh52,308 per month.

SALARY POINTS	JOB GROUP	GRADE	PREVIOUS SALARY	CURRENT SALARY 2021
1	G	C4	45,287	52,308
2	G	C4	45,287	52,308
3	G	C4	45,287	52,308
4	G	C4	45,287	52,308
5	G	C4	45,287	52,308
6	G	C4	45,287	52,308
1	H	C4	45,287	52,308
2	H	C4	45,287	52,308
3	H	C4	45,287	52,308
4	H	C4	45,287	52,308
5	H	C4	45,287	52,308
6	H	C4	47,400	52,308
1	J	C4	47,400	52,308
2	J	C4	47,400	52,308
3	J	C4	47,400	52,308
4	J	C4	47,400	52,308
5	J	C4	47,400	52,308
1	K	C4	47,400	52,308
2	K	C4	47,400	52,308
3	K	C4	47,400	52,308
4	K	C4	49,629	52,308
5	K	C4	49,629	52,308
6	K	C4	49,629	52,308
7	K	C4	49,629	52,308
1	L	C4	49,629	52,308
2	L	C4	49,629	52,308
3	L	C4	49,629	52,308
4	L	C4	49,629	52,308
5	L	C4	51,632	52,308
6	L	C4	51,632	52,308

SECONDARY TEACHER I AND SENIOR TEACHER I

Secondary Teacher I are teachers in Secondary schools whose grade is C3 (formerly L); This is a promotional grade for teachers in secondary school. On the other hand, Senior Teacher I are administrators in Primary schools with enrollment of over 1000 learners with Grade C3. These tutors presently earn between Sh43,154 and Sh53,943 effective July, 2020.

SALARY POINTS	JOB GROUP	GRADE	PREVIOUS SALARY	CURRENT SALARY 2021
1	L	C3	41,343	43,147
2	L	C3	43,270	45,124
3	L	C3	45,287	47,183
4	L	C3	47,400	49,336
5	L	C3	49,606	51,588
6	L	C3	51,927	53,943

SENIOR TEACHER II, SECONDARY TEACHER II & SECONDARY TEACHER II UNTRAINED (UT) AND PRIMARY SNE TEACHERS

Senior Teacher II are administrators in Primary schools with enrollment of below 1000 learners. While, Secondary Teacher III is an entry grade for secondary school teachers who are holders of Diploma in Education. These teachers previously pocketed salaries of between KES31,242 and KES 33,971 and later got an increment of between KES 984 to KES 3,717.

SALARY POINTS	JOB GROUP	GRADE	PREVIOUS SALARY	CURRENT SALARY 2021
1	G	C2	31,242	34,955
2	G	C2	31,242	34,955
3	G	C2	31,242	34,955
4	G	C2	31,242	34,955
5	G	C2	31,242	34,955
6	G	C2	31,242	34,955
1	H	C2	31,242	34,955
2	H	C2	31,242	34,955
3	H	C2	31,242	34,955
4	H	C2	32,975	34,955
5	H	C2	32,975	34,955
6	H	C2	32,975	34,955
1	J	C2	32,975	34,955
2	J	C2	32,975	34,955
3	J	C2	33,971	34,955
4	J	C2	33,971	34,955
5	J	C2	33,971	34,955

SECONDARY TEACHER II & SECONDARY TEACHER II UNTRAINED AND PRIMARY SNE TEACHERS

These teachers who fall in Grade C2 (Formerly K) . Grade C2 is an entry grade for secondary school teachers who are holders of a Bachelor’s Degree in Education or its equivalent. It is also a promotional grade for holders of Diploma in Education.

SALARY POINTS	JOB GROUP	GRADE	PREVIOUS SALARY	CURRENT SALARY 2021
1	K	C2	34,955	34,955
2	K	C2	36,280	36,280
3	K	C2	37,654	37,654
4	K	C2	39,081	39,081
5	K	C2	40,562	40,562
6	K	C2	42,099	42,O99
7	K	C2	49,694	49,694

PRIMARY TEACHER I AND SECONDARY TEACHER III

These are teachers in grade C1 (Formerly H and J). Grade C1 is an entry grade for secondary school teachers who are holders of Diploma in Education.

SALARY POINTS	JOB GROUP	GRADE	PREVIOUS SALARY	CURRENT SALARY 2021
1	H	C1	27,195	27,195
2	H	C1	27,195	27,195
3	H	C1	27,195	27,195
4	H	C1	27,195	27,195
5	H	C1	27,195	27,195
6	H	C1	27,195	27,195
1	J	C1	27,195	27,195
2	J	C1	28,755	28,755
3	J	C1	30,405	30,405
4	J	C1	32,149	32,149
5	J	C1	33,994	33,994

PRIMARY TEACHER II

These are teachers at Grade B5 (T- Scale 5) which is the entry grade for primary school teachers.

SALARY POINTS	JOB GROUP	GRADE	PREVIOUS SALARY	CURRENT SALARY 2021
1	G	B5	21,756	21,756
2	G	B5	21,749	21,749
3	G	B5	23,787	23,787
4	G	B5	24,873	24,873
5	G	B5	26,008	26,008
6	G	B5	27,195	27,195

CONCLUSION

After looking at the salaries in Kenya, the conclusion is that there has to be a way of how every teacher in kenya will be paid more. This can only happen through fundraising since we are living in a generation that believes in charity. The fact that we want to help those who are less privileged than us it gives us an opportunity to raise funds for teachers’ salaries.