This is How Long It Takes TSC To Pay Newly Employed Teachers

how long does it take tsc to pay newly employed teachers — how long it takes tsc to pay newly employed teachers

For aspiring educators, landing a teaching job is a monumental achievement.

However, the excitement of starting a new career can quickly be overshadowed by the need for financial stability.

Teachers in many countries, including Kenya, rely on timely salary payments to cover their daily expenses.

In Kenya, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is responsible for employing teachers and disbursing their salaries.

But how long does TSC take to pay newly employed teachers?

In this article, we’ll explore the various factors that influence the time it takes for TSC to pay its newest recruits.

Administrative Procedures

One of the primary factors affecting the time it takes for TSC to pay newly employed teachers is the administrative procedures involved in the hiring process.

Once a teacher is hired, their information must be processed, including payroll details, tax information, and bank account verification.

This administrative work can take some time, especially if there is a high volume of new hires.

The TSC typically follows a rigorous verification process to ensure that the information provided by newly employed teachers is accurate.

Any discrepancies or missing information can lead to delays in salary payments.

Therefore, it’s crucial for newly employed teachers to submit all required documents promptly and accurately to expedite this process.

Payroll Processing

Once the administrative procedures are completed, the newly employed teachers’ information is added to the TSC’s payroll system.

The payroll processing cycle varies from organization to organization and can depend on factors like the complexity of the payroll system, the volume of employees, and the efficiency of the payroll department.

TSC aims to pay teachers on time, and they have specific paydays that teachers can expect their salaries.

These paydays are typically at the end of the month, but delays can occur if there are any technical issues or errors in the payroll system.

It’s essential for teachers to be aware of the official paydays and monitor their bank accounts accordingly.

Banking Procedures

The method through which teachers receive their salaries also plays a role in how long it takes for them to get paid.

TSC usually pays teachers through direct bank deposits.

Therefore, the efficiency and reliability of the bank’s processes can impact the timeliness of salary payments.

If a teacher provides incorrect bank account information or if there are issues with the bank’s processing system, it can result in delays in receiving salary payments.

To avoid such delays, teachers should double-check their bank account details with TSC and their respective banks to ensure accuracy.

Union Agreements

Another factor that can influence the timing of salary payments for newly employed teachers is any ongoing negotiations or agreements between teachers’ unions and the government.

In some cases, unions may engage in discussions related to salary increases, allowances, or other benefits.

These negotiations can lead to delays in salary disbursements, especially if they result in changes to the existing payment structure.

TSC’s Reforms Streamline Salary Processing and Teacher Deployment

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has taken steps to address the prolonged delays in salary processing for newly recruited primary and secondary school teachers.

The commission has announced that, starting from July 2023, these teachers will begin receiving their first salaries.

TSC will place the newly recruited teachers on the payroll, with the timing of their initial payment contingent on their reporting dates and the submission date of the casualty entry/exit report.

Significant changes have been made to the procedures for posting, transferring, and deploying teachers.

These processes will now be conducted online, streamlining the previously cumbersome manual approach.

As a result of these reforms, newly employed teachers will no longer have to endure the wait of three months or more before receiving their first salaries.

Instead, they will start receiving their salaries at the end of their first month of employment.

TSC has introduced an online system to expedite the disbursement of teachers’ salaries as part of these reforms.

Dr. Nancy Macharia, the Secretary of TSC, emphasized that teachers will now report through this new online system, ensuring prompt payment at the end of the first month.

This new reporting system for new teachers is expected to reduce the processing time for their first-month pay from three months to just one.

Dr. Macharia explained, “In pursuit of our transformation agenda outlined in the 2019/2023 Strategic Plan, the Commission has successfully developed the entry/exit report module and transitioned services related to posting, transfer, and deployment of teachers, as well as the completion of entry and exit returns, to an online system.”

This transition eliminates the need for manual filing of entry and exit reports, often referred to as ‘Casualty returns.’

Typically, school principals fill out ‘casualty returns’ when new teachers join their schools, and this data is subsequently forwarded to TSC for various processes, including salary payment.

Delays in the submission of casualty reports have been a major cause of extended waiting times for salary processing.

TSC has already communicated the implementation of the new online module for posting, entry, and exit of teachers to all field officers through a circular.

Furthermore, the deployment and transfer of teachers will now be conducted exclusively through online channels.

Dr. Macharia emphasized that this initiative aims to eventually phase out all manual processes related to issuing, submitting, and processing posting, transfer, deployment letters, and associated documents, ultimately improving service delivery to teachers and stakeholders.

“The module will be accessible on the TSC website, complete with user guidelines.

The Commission’s field staff and heads of institutions are instructed to familiarize themselves with this new module,” added Dr. Macharia.

Conclusion

In summary, how long it takes for the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to pay newly employed teachers can vary based on several factors but one month is the goal, according to the TSC.

Administrative procedures, payroll processing, banking procedures, and union negotiations all play a role in determining the timing of salary payments.

While TSC aims to pay teachers on time, it’s essential for newly employed teachers to be aware of the potential challenges and take proactive steps to ensure the smooth receipt of their salaries.

To expedite the payment process, newly employed teachers should submit accurate and complete documentation, double-check their bank account details, and stay informed about any ongoing negotiations that might affect their salary payments.

By doing so, they can enjoy the financial stability they need to embark on their teaching careers with confidence.