Following an advisory from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, more than 10,000 early childhood development education (ECDE) teachers face massive salary cuts (SRC).
The commission has suggested to the Council of Governors (CoG) a new grading and salary structure for teachers employed by county governments.
In a circular dated January 13, 2023, the SRC directs all county governments to implement the revised grading and salary structures, which propose a pay cut of between Sh7,383 and Sh10,803.
According to the proposed structure, a certificate-level ECD teacher will earn between Sh7,836 and Sh11,467 for job categories F and L.
This is a huge reduction from their present salary range of Sh16,890 to Sh20,800 for the same job groupings.
If implemented, job group H, which includes assistant ECDE Teacher I, will lose Sh9,866, with the new salary being Sh8,804, down from the current Sh18,270.
If the county public service boards decide to follow the SRC orders, they have intimated through their union, the Kenya County Government Workers Union (KCGWU), that they will go on strike.
The new salary structure has been dubbed unlawful and in contravention of county labor rules by Roba Duba, general secretary of the union.
He maintained that most teachers would make less than the basic salary, which is set at Sh15,120, under the new remuneration system for ECD educators.
“At no given time was this union consulted in coming up with the grading and salary structures which is totally against the law. Further take note of the current minimum wage which stands at Sh15,120, notwithstanding the high cost of living,” said Duba.
Duba said the commission’s decision to come up with a different salary structure for only ECDE teachers, who are also county employees, was discriminatory and in contravention of employment laws.
Goes to show the rot and amateurs in the SRC. The first teacher who handles these tabular Lassa learners gets them to understand and follow schedules, potty train, teach them how to feed and dress themselves i.e life skills, Numeracy and literacy skills too to make them Primary school ready. All that work and a bonkers committee sits down to work on reducing wages that are not enough in the first place!