The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) allocates allowances in distinct categories, divided into various job groups, with each receiving a specific amount, either monthly or annually.
The job groups, running from grade B5, C1-C5, and D1-D5, enjoy an allowance amount ranging from Ksh 4,000 to Ksh 38,100, with the ‘D’ level labelled as the highest ranking and also being the category that pockets the largest share of the allowances.
The categorized levels are
- Hardship allowance, which is a monthly extra payment provided by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to public school teachers posted in hardship areas dictated by issues like harsh climatic conditions, high levels of insecurity, limited access to social amenities, underdevelopment, and high poverty levels, as well as poor infrastructure and high cost of living.
Teachers rated in the lower job groups (B5-C3) receive the extra pay as a welcome relief in areas with limited infrastructure, whereas those in higher grades like D4 and D5 receive a hefty amount, making a difference of over Ksh 31,500.
The hardship allowances vary depending on the job group (grade) of a teacher, as shown below
| Grade | Hardship Allowance (Ksh) |
| B5 | 6,600 |
| C1 | 8,200 |
| C2 | 10,900 |
| C3 | 12,300 |
| C4 | 14,650 |
| C5 | 17,100 |
| D1 | 27,300 |
| D2 | 27,300 |
| D3 | 31,500 |
| D4 | 31,500 |
| D5 | 38,100 |
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Some of the areas regarded as hardship areas are Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Turkana, Marsabit, Tana River, Lamu, Isiolo, Samburu, West Pokot, as well as some zones in Kwale, Kilifi, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, and Narok.
- The commuter allowance is a monthly payment provided by TSC to all employed public school teachers to help cover daily transportation costs to and from their workplace
Characteristics of the Commuter Allowance
- Unlike the hardship allowance, it is paid to every TSC teacher regardless of location.
- It is also fixed by job grade or the TSC scale, and it increases with seniority and responsibility.
- It is taxable and, therefore, deductions are made just like the basic salary.
- This is part of the remuneration package under the Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
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It ranges from Ksh 4,000, the lowest amount, for entry-level primary teachers (B5) or junior secondary (C1), to Ksh 6,000 for C3, and Ksh 8,000 for C4 and C5. Grades D1 and D2 receive an allowance of Ksh 12,000, while those in D3 and D4 receive Ksh 14,000, and the highest, Ksh 16,000, is allocated to senior or chief principals (D5).
Apart from the hardship and commuter allowances, teachers are also entitled to an annual leave allowance, which is usually paid once a year, generally with the January salary.
- The annual leave allowance is a one-time payment issued by TSC to all permanent public school teachers. It is usually calculated from regular leave days and is not prorated for partial years in most cases.
Features of annual leave allowance
- This is paid once per year, usually credited in January or sometimes December alongside the monthly salary.
- It is based on the job grade/TSC scale, and, like the commuter allowance, it increases with seniority.
- The allowance is taxable and subject to standard deductions.
- It’s part of the CBA remuneration package.
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This allowance ranges from Ksh 4,000 to Ksh 10,000, with the high-ranking grades (D1-D5) pocketing the highest amount of Ksh 10,000, middle-ranking grades (C2-C5) receiving an annual amount of Ksh 6,000, and the lowest band of B5 and C1 receiving Ksh 4,000.
Disability Guide Allowance
All teachers with disabilities, and who for some reason will require a guide, are entitled to this monthly allowance that is usually capped at Ksh 20,000 for all levels of grading, regardless of the job group.
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I think this is the same colonial rule method ,divide and rule tactic how come while located in the same area in terms of hardship allowance why should one be paid higher than the other ?just because of job group !