Teachers lament over shrinking payslips as SHA deductions begin

A teacher in class during a lesson. [File, Standard

Teachers have decried increased taxation saying their take home pay has substantially diminished.

They said that the latest deductions to Social Health Authority have worsened the situation.

A teacher in Job Group C3, with basic salary of Sh59,084 is entitled to housing allowance of Sh16,500 and Sh6,000 commuter allowance. This teacher is expected to take home Sh81,584.

However, deductions for pension, university loan recovery, National Social Security Fund, Pay As You Earn, Mwalimu Sacco, the housing levy, and SHA amount to Sh51,647.75, leaving the teacher with a paltry Sh23,936.

Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha) Chairman Willie Kuria said that the teaching profession is becoming less appealing to new graduates.

“Not only are levels of pay low, but teaching is becoming increasingly stressful as teachers are forced to navigate the curriculum and rising incidences of violence in schools,” said Kuria.

He argued that the low pay makes it challenging to attract and retain qualified teachers, which could have long-term effects on education quality in the country.

“Taxes account for 53 per cent of the gross salary. It's more charity work for teachers. Lack of well-qualified teachers means we cannot equip future tech innovators, researchers, and educators with the training they need to emerge as leaders,” he said.

Kuria who is also Murang'a High School Principal regretted that the increased taxes have not taken into account the inflation rate which further hurts teachers.

“Although salary may rise, prices rise even more because of inflation. In order for there to be increases in standards of living, nominal increases in pay need to exceed the rate of inflation,” he said.

Maurice Odhiambo, a teacher in Nairobi, criticized the new SHA deduction of 2.7 per cent on gross salary, saying they are burdened by government’s push to collect revenue.

“Deductions on payslips day in, day out. Recently we adopted another 1.5 per cent deduction to fund the development of affordable housing. We are being choked by the same government we expected good from,” he said.

James Kutuny, another teacher from Kericho said the increased taxes are making it difficult for teachers to maintain a decent standard of living.

“It’s time to shun the outdated notion that the working class should shoulder the burden of our nation’s fiscal responsibilities. Our current tax system is a relic that disproportionately punishes the very people who power our economy,” he said.

Kutuny argued that reform is necessary and advocated for a fairer tax system that doesn’t put pressure on individuals with already stretched paychecks.

“We need to have a system that rewards hard work, incentivizes innovation, and ensures that those who reap the greatest rewards contribute the most," he said.

Kenya Primary Schools Association (Kepsha) chairman Stephen Nzioka said the introduction of new levies like SHA has increased the financial burden on teachers.

“It's crucial to ensure clear communication about the purpose and calculation of these levies, along with the legal procedures followed for their implementation,” he said.

He argued that prioritising the financial well-being of teachers and seeking their input in decisions affecting their pay is essential for a harmonious and productive education sector.

“We urge the relevant authorities to engage teachers' unions to ensure their voices are heard and their concerns addressed before any changes are made to their payslips,” he said.

For many, this isn’t just about numbers on a payslip. Teachers feel undervalued, and the deductions exacerbate the underlying tension.

Mary Maina from Kiambu called for more progressive tax policies, including increased personal allowances and reduced tax rates for low-income earners.

“The government should implement a more progressive tax system where higher-income individuals contribute a larger share of their income to the tax pool,” she said.

Maina called for specific tax relief measures for low-income earners, such as increasing personal allowances and reducing tax rates on lower income earners.

Edward Obwocha, National Secretary of Secondary Schools in the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers, warned that the tax burden risks affecting teachers morale.

“Teachers are already struggling to make ends meet with the low salary. Additional burdens of taxes will compound their woes, making it difficult for them to perform and yield results,” he said.

Obwocha questioned the logic of taxing tutors by funding housing and medical initiatives without a corresponding increase in teachers' pay.

“It would make a lot of economic sense if the proposed levies were set against the backdrop of a salary increase. Whose houses are we funding?” He posed.