Pay rent for school houses, PS Kipsang tells teachers

Basic Education PS Bellio Kipsang. [File, Standard]

Teachers who stay in houses within school compounds are on the spot for failing to pay rent running into millions of shillings, it has emerged.

Basic Education PS Bellio Kipsang said audit reports have unearthed cases where teachers owe schools huge amounts of money in rent arrears.

“Examination of the audit reports has revealed that schools owed substantial amounts of money in terms of rent arrears by members of staff residing in institutional houses,” said Kipsang in a circular to all Regional Directors of Education.

It is emerging that the defaulting teachers may be ejected out of the houses and opportunities given to deserving staff who can pay rent on time.

In the circular dated September 2, Mr Kipsang directs that defaulting teachers be held to account. “Administrative action will be taken on all staff who have defaulted in payment of rent,” Kipsang said.

Kahi Indimuli, the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association chairman said most teachers do not pay rent, pushing schools administrations into serious audit queries.

“This is a fact. Many do not pay rent yet it is always a subsidised amount. It is a major challenge,” Mr Indimuli said. Some secondary school principals yesterday said that all teachers get house allowance yet they are unable to pay rent.

Teachers in boarding schools who missed out on the allocations accused principals of favouritism. “Some schools do not have enough houses for all staff. Therefore, those in good books get houses while those deemed to be stubborn do not get a chance,” said a secondary school teacher.

He claimed that in some schools, the principal rents out the houses to support staff who can access accommodation elsewhere.

There are about 641 boarding schools across the country, most of which have staff quarters. Kipsang has now instructed the Regional Directors to ensure compliance.

“Ensure that schools boards of management work out modalities to ensure that rent is paid through a check-off system,” he said.

The circular is copied to Teachers Service Commission Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia.