Why teachers find it difficult to get loans

By Joel Okwayo

Teachers in Western Province lament delays in remitting their dues to various funds by TSC.

Primary, secondary and technical institute teachers contribute to burial benevolent and education funds, and savings and credit cooperative societies through a check off system.

Kakamega Teachers Benevolent Fund Secretary Francis Omety says the fund has repeatedly delayed processing members’ educational and medical loans due to failure by the TSC to remit members’ dues.

"The delays take up to a month and when we follow up we are told that the money has not been released by the Treasury," he says.

In some instances, teachers are deducted twice a month. "We have had to follow up with the TSC to stop such deductions," says Omety.

He explains that some of errors are occasioned by hire purchase organisations and insurance companies that offer services to members but fail to adhere to rules.

In other instances, TSC misdirects members’ deductions to other districts, he says.

According to him, money meant for teachers in Kakamega is sometimes deposited in the accounts of teachers in Kajiado District.

He says it takes time to correct such errors.

Omety claims some members are withdrawing due to misplacement of their contributions by TSC

Kakamega Teacher’s Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (Kateco) Chairman Joseph Sagalla says recovery of loans would be difficult if the Government implements the two-thirds rule that requires a teacher to at least retain two-third of his salary after deductions.

Already, some applicants have been limited to loans that do not exceed their shares. "We want to avoid a situation where a member gets away with not or takes too long to repay their loan because of the rule ," says Sagalla.

The circular becomes effective in July. The circular, signed by TSC Secretary Gabriel Lengoibon, has been copied to Provincial Directors of Education, District Education Officers, Kenya National Union of Teachers, Kenya Union of Post Primary Education of Teachers (Kuppet) and other teachers’ organisations.

Knut Western Provincial Council Secretary Godfrey Odongo says TSC should develop a mechanism in which teachers, upon interdiction, face disciplinary committees in the district instead of travelling to Nairobi. He says secondary school teachers are the most affected by matter. He claims principals out to sack them take advantage of their regular trip to Nairobi to plan on how to fire the teachers.

"Sometimes it takes long for one to get his dues due to misplacement of their files by the employer," says Odongo.