10,000 new teachers to go without pay

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has issued a circular directing over 10,000 newly recruited teachers to officially report for duty on January 2, 2015.

This means those who have already reported for work before receiving their appointment letters will not receive any pay.

The Standard has learned that most of the teachers, who were recruited in August, went to the schools in September.

According to the TSC circular, the date the teachers start teaching next year will be the effective date of their appointments.

In the letter signed by TSC Chief Executive Officer Abdirizak Farah, the teachers will be subjected to six months' probation before getting full employment.

"At the end of six months probation you should apply to TSC through your head of institution for confirmation of appointment on permanent and pensionable terms," the letter reads in part.

The letter further directs the new teachers to report to their school heads to be assigned duties on January 2, and not 30 days from the effective day of reporting.

A teacher who sought anonymity for fear of reprisal told The Standard that after the interview they were directed to report to school in September. Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers Secretary General Akello Misori confirmed the impasse, saying the issue had been raised with the union.

However, he criticised the tutors for reporting on duty without appointment letters, saying they were ignorant of the law. Mr Misori admitted that many teachers had reported to their new schools after the interview due to pressure from their principals.

"The new teachers should have waited for appointment letters before starting their duties," he said.

Teachers who declined to be named said the Government budget starts from July, meaning the new teachers salaries were budgeted for