Education CS Ezekiel Machogu has directed that more than 35,000 junior secondary school teachers who were recruited recently be paid their salaries expeditiously.
Speaking when he appeared before the National Assembly plenary for grilling by MPs, the CS said more than 50 per cent of the teachers recruited by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) were yet to be paid.
Some of the teachers have not received salaries since February when they reported for duty.
"I want to apologize to our teachers for the delay in payment. There are those that we have been unable to pay. As of today when I discussed with the CEO of the TSC, it was confirmed that almost 50 per cent of the newly employed teachers have been paid," he said.
The CS was responding to a query by Nominated MP Sabina Chege on the delayed payment of salaries. He said the delay was occasioned by different reporting times of the teachers to the schools they were posted at.
A spot-check showed the teachers reported to their workstations in February and others in March.
Machaogu said the teachers were required to report to their workstations within 30 days and an assessment was carried out by the principals.
"After posting them we rely on information from the principals on the specific days that they report so we are able to prepare payment. Some began their work later than others which might have caused the delays in processing the salaries. I however want to assure them that they will be paid on time," he said.
On Monday, the TSC said it is working to ensure the remaining batch of teachers receives their May dues.
"We apologise for any delays that may have been occasioned by late reporting of teachers to their stations, or delayed submission of requisite documents. All efforts are being made to effect all the salaries in May," read a statement from the commission.
And in response to Isiolo MP Bonaya Golo, Machogu said plans are underway to equip the learning and teaching facilities through the construction of more classrooms and laboratories to accommodate the increased enrollment.
"We have challenges such as a shortage of laboratories and classrooms. We are in consultations with the World Bank - our development partner - and have agreed that the funding we are likely to get will go towards navigating the infrastructural problem," he said.
Golo sought to know why Northern counties were understaffed and under-facilitated in the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum.
