Special Needs Education (SNE) teachers in Eldoret have urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to implement a presidential directive granting them one additional job grade.
Speaking in Eldoret, SNE teacher Peter Mutai said the directive was issued in September 2025 during a meeting between teachers’ representatives and President William Ruto at State House.
“The grade has not been implemented to date, despite the recognition of the remarkable work we do,” Mutai said.
He commended the President for recognising the important work carried out by SNE teachers across the country and urged the TSC to implement the directive without further delay.
Another SNE teacher, Scholastica Korir, called on the President to exert more pressure on the TSC to act on the directive.
“We have been patient enough, and we now feel that action should be taken,” she said.
Ruth Njagi reminded the TSC that a 2017 job evaluation conducted by the commission and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) recommended two additional job groups for SNE teachers, but the recommendation has yet to be implemented.
“We, as SNE teachers, went to Parliament in 2023 to petition on the same issue, but nothing has changed,” she said.
The teachers also raised concerns over delays in the disbursement of capitation funds to SNE units, saying the delays have disrupted learning and co-curricular activities.
SNE teacher Sarah Keino appealed to Commissioner Wilson Sossion to help raise their concerns with the TSC.
“I want to thank Wilson Sossion for the remarkable work he did for us when he was the secretary-general of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), and we ask him to help us push this matter,” she said.
The teachers said SNE learners require intensive attention, monitoring and care, with teachers sometimes required to feed them, administer medication and change their clothes.
They said their current remuneration does not adequately reflect the demanding nature of their responsibilities.
“The pay does not align with the work, and we would really appreciate the increment. The TSC should care for our needs too, just as we care for these learners,” Keino said.
Sirima Mary also called for the introduction of a risk allowance, citing safety challenges faced by teachers working with older learners.
She said SNE schools have no age limit, meaning some institutions have learners aged over 35 and, in some cases, as old as 45.
“The SNE School does not have an age limit, and you find learners aged up to even 45 who are strong enough to push or beat teachers. We need a risk allowance because of the unpredictable harm that can be caused by these learners,” she said.
By Shaline Jeruto
