Teachers, police pay increment timely

Teachers and police officers appear headed for better tidings after the Government announced a new salary structure.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) on Friday released Sh54 billion to teachers’ accounts, being part of the provisions of the long-drawn Collective Bargaining Increment (CBA) it signed with unions for the period 2017 –2021.

Teachers who have been earning between Sh35,910 and Sh45,880 will now get between Sh37, 721 and Sh47, 896 under the first phase of implementation. Lowest-paid teachers who earn Sh16, 692 will now get Sh19,224.

The police, on the other hand, will enjoy a 19 per cent pay rise for constables and 6 per cent for senior assistant generals. The men and women who risk their lives daily to enforce law and order have, for long, contended with low morale blamed on poor remuneration.

We believe the new pay structure is timely. It is no doubt a fine gesture by the State that it is committed to improving the welfare of police officers.

However, we urge that better remuneration should come with more commitment to service delivery. With better pay, teachers and the police should now give the taxpayer real value for money. The State should also ensure salary adjustments aren’t done in a muddled manner that cripples other sectors or raises public wage bill to unsustainable levels.

Again, these awards should never be driven by political motives. The timing of yesterday’s awards, coming in an election month, could raise serious questions.