Teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Kenya are among the many Kenyan workers covered under the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
NSSF is a social security scheme mandated to provide social security protection to all Kenyan employees in the formal and informal sectors.
Under the NSSF Act, employees are required to contribute a percentage of their monthly salaries to the fund, with their employers also making a matching contribution.
For TSC teachers, the contributions are as follows:
- NSSF Contribution:
TSC teachers are required to pay 6% of their monthly salaries to NSSF.
- Employer Contribution:
TSC, as the employer, is obligated to match the employee’s contribution with an equal amount.
This means that for every amount a TSC teacher contributes to NSSF, the TSC also contributes an equal amount.
This system ensures that teachers receive a substantial social security benefit upon retirement or in the event of disability or death.
Housing Levy Contribution
In addition to the NSSF contributions, TSC teachers are also required to pay a 1.5% levy on their monthly salaries for the Housing Levy.
This levy is part of the government’s Affordable Housing Program aimed at providing affordable housing to Kenyan citizens.
The Housing Levy is a mandatory deduction that is aimed at financing the construction of affordable housing units across the country.
The funds collected from the levy are channeled through the National Housing Development Fund (NHDF), which oversees the implementation of the affordable housing program.
Legal Challenge
It’s worth noting that the introduction of the Housing Levy for TSC teachers has not been without controversy.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) filed a case challenging the legality of the levy, arguing that it was unconstitutional to compel teachers to contribute to the Housing Levy without their consent.
In the case filed by lawyer Linet Maiyo on behalf of KNUT, the union argued that the levy was an additional burden on teachers who are already struggling with low salaries and high living costs.
However, the court ruled in favor of the government, upholding the legality of the levy and ordering teachers to continue making the contributions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, TSC teachers are required to pay NSSF contributions, which are matched by the TSC.
Additionally, they are also required to contribute to the Housing Levy, which is aimed at financing the government’s Affordable Housing Program.
While this has been a contentious issue, with unions challenging the legality of the levy, teachers are still required to make the contributions as mandated by law.
Related Content
Mr. Weldon Kosgei, a dedicated educator with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Kenya, brings years of experience and a deep love for education to his role at TSCNewsToday.co.ke. He provides insightful and timely updates on TSC policies, educational trends, and best practices, making his articles valuable resources for educators and administrators. Mr. Kosgei’s commitment to enhancing education shines through in his writing, connecting and inspiring the teaching community across Kenya.
