Teaching, a profession revered for shaping young minds and contributing to societal development, can sometimes lead educators to areas with unique challenges. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Kenya recognizes these difficulties and designates certain regions as hardship areas. Here, we delve into the concept of TSC hardship areas, the challenges they pose, and the allowances provided to teachers working in these regions.
What are TSC Hardship Areas?
TSC hardship areas are specific regions in Kenya that face exceptional difficulties, encompassing issues such as infrastructure limitations, accessibility challenges, and tough living conditions. These areas often lack essential services like clean water, electricity, and adequate healthcare facilities. In acknowledgment of the challenges faced by teachers in these areas, TSC provides an additional allowance known as hardship allowance.
Hardship Allowance Details:
- Calculation: The hardship allowance is determined based on the teacher’s job group and remains fixed, regardless of the specific hardship area in Kenya.
| S/NO | GRADE | TSC SCALE | FORMER JOB GROUP | Hardship Allowance- in Kshs per Month |
| 1 | BS | 5 | G | 6,600 |
| 2 | Cl | 6 | H | 8,200 |
| 3 | C2 | 7 | I | 10,900 |
| 4 | C3 | 8 | J | 12,300 |
| 5 | C4 | 9 | K | 14,650 |
| 6 | cs | 10 | L | 17,100 |
| 7 | D1 | 11 | M | 27,300 |
| 8 | D2 | 12 | N | 27,300 |
| 9 | D3 | 13 | p | 31,500 |
| 10 | D4 | 14 | Q | 31,500 |
| 11 | D5 | 15 | R | 38,100 |
Designated TSC Hardship Areas:
As of the latest available information, TSC designates the following areas as hardship areas:
- Mandera County
- Marsabit County
- Kwale County
- Garissa County
- Wajir County
- West Pokot County
- Narok County
- Turkana County
- Kilifi County
- Isiolo County
- Lamu County
- Taita Taveta County
- Tana River County
- Samburu County
Changes in Designation:
In a TSC circular dated November 23, 2020, it was noted that the TSC is reviewing the listing of some areas in counties as hardship areas. Additionally, as of December 1, 2020, the payment of hardship allowance has been halted in the following sub-counties:
- Nyandarua – All sub-counties
- Kigumo sub-county
- Murang’a sub-county
- Kandara sub-county
- Nyahururu sub-county
Conclusion:
Teaching in hardship areas comes with its own set of challenges, but the TSC hardship allowance aims to recognize and compensate for the additional difficulties faced by educators. As the TSC periodically reviews and updates the list of hardship areas, teachers are advised to stay informed about any changes in designations and allowances. The noble profession of teaching continues to play a crucial role in shaping the future, even in the face of challenges posed by hardship areas.