New Hardship Areas in Kenya/ List of Gazetted Hardship Areas in Kenya
Teaching in Kenya presents teachers with unique challenges, and the Teacher Service Commission (TSC) significantly influences the teaching landscape.
In this article, we explore the concept of TSC Hardship Areas, including the list, zones, and the latest developments in these demanding teaching environments.
Understanding TSC Hardship Areas
While secondary school teachers can choose their workplace through open postings, primary school teachers may find themselves posted to any school in Kenya.
This ensures that essential positions in primary schools are efficiently filled, aligning with the TSC’s mission.
Qualifying Criteria for TSC Hardship Areas
Insecurity and adverse weather conditions are key factors designating an area as a hardship zone.
Teachers in these regions face not only professional challenges but also potential threats to their well-being, making their service commendable despite the difficulties.
Challenges Faced by Teachers in Hardship Areas
From inadequate infrastructure to unfavorable working conditions, teachers in hardship areas grapple with numerous challenges.
Despite these difficulties, their commitment to the profession remains unwavering, highlighting their dedication to providing quality education.
TSC Hardship Allowances: Incentivizing Service in Difficult Areas
To motivate teachers in these challenging environments, the TSC offers hardship allowances.
These allowances vary based on the TSC scale and grade of the teacher, providing financial incentives.
Here’s an overview of the TSC scale and corresponding hardship allowances per month in Ksh:
| Hardship Allowance —JOB TITLES AND SCALES | ||||
| S/No. | TITLES | GRADE | T- SCALE | Hardship Allowance Ksh. Per Month |
| 1. | Chief Principal | D5 | T-Scale 15 | 38,100 |
| 2. | Senior Principal | D4 | T-Scale 14 | 31,500 |
| 3. | Principal | D3 | T-Scale 13 | |
| Deputy Principal I | 31,500 | |||
| 4. | Deputy Principal II | D2 | T-Scale 12 | |
| Senior Master I | ||||
| Senior Lecturer I | 27,300 | |||
| 5. | Senior Master II | D1 | T-Scale 11 | |
| Deputy Principal III | ||||
| Senior Head teacher | ||||
| Senior Lecturer II | 27,300 | |||
| Curriculum Support Officer I | ||||
| 6. | C5 | T-Scale 10 | ||
| Senior Master III | ||||
| Senior Lecturer III | 17,100 | |||
| Head teacher | ||||
| Deputy Head teacher I | ||||
| Curriculum Support Officer II | ||||
| 7. | Senior Lecturer IV | C4 | T-Scale 9 | |
| Senior Master IV | ||||
| SNE Senior Teacher – Primary | 14,650 | |||
| SNE Teacher I – Secondary | ||||
| Deputy Head teacher II | ||||
| 8. | Secondary Teacher I | C3 | T-Scale 8 | |
| Lecturer I | ||||
| SNE Teacher I – Primary | 12,300 | |||
| SNE Teacher II – Secondary | ||||
| Senior Teacher I | ||||
| 9. | Secondary Teacher II | C2 | T-Scale 7 | |
| SNE Teacher II – Primary | ||||
| Lecturer II | ||||
| Senior Teacher II | 10,900 | |||
| 10. | Secondary Teacher III | C1 | T-Scale 6 | |
| Lecturer III | ||||
| Primary Teacher I | 8,200 | |||
| 11. | Primary Teacher II | B5 | T-Scale 5 | 6,600 |
It’s important to note that not all sub-counties within designated counties receive the hardship area classification.
The TSC employs specific criteria, ensuring that only regions meeting stringent conditions obtain this designation.
Latest TSC Hardship Areas List
TSC has updated its list of hardship areas, focusing on specific counties and sub-counties in Kenya.
This list guides teachers considering placements, shedding light on regions where challenges are more pronounced.
Here are examples of counties (sub-counties) identified by the TSC as hardship areas:
Here is the updated list of all areas classified as hardship by the Commission:
| S/NO | HARDSHIP AREA | COUNTY |
| 1 | Baringo North Sub County | Baringo County |
| 2 | Tiaty East Sub County | Baringo County |
| 3 | Tiaty West Sub County | Baringo County |
| 4 | Marigat Sub County | Baringo County |
| 5 | The whole of Garissa | Garissa County |
| 6 | Suba Sub County | Homa Bay County |
| 7 | Mbita Sub County | Homa Bay County |
| 8 | Whole of Isiolo | Isiolo County |
| 9 | Mashuuru Sub County | Kajiado County |
| 10 | Liotoktok Sub County | Kajiado County |
| 11 | Kajiado West Sub County | Kajiado County |
| 12 | Whole Kwale | Kwale County |
| 13 | Magarini Sub County | Kilifi County |
| 14 | Ganze Sub County | Kilifi County |
| 15 | Whole of Lamu | Lamu County |
| 16 | Whole of Mandera | Mandera County |
| 17 | Whole of Marsabit | Marsabit County |
| 18 | Mumoni Sub County | Kitui County |
| 19 | Mutito North Sub County | Kitui County |
| 20 | Mutito North Sub County | Kitui County |
| 21 | Tseikuru Sub County | Kitui County |
| 22 | Narok South Sub County | Narok County |
| 23 | Narok North Sub County | Narok County |
| 24 | Whole of Samburu | Samburu County |
| 25 | Whole of Taita Taveta | Taita Taveta County |
| 26 | Whole of Tana River | Tana River County |
| 27 | Whole of Turkana | Turkana County |
| 28 | Whole of Wajir | Wajir County |
| 29 | Whole of West Pokot | West Pokot County |
| Some parts of Kipkelion West And Soin Sigowet | Kericho County |
This updated list reflects the TSC’s commitment to transparency, ensuring teachers are well-informed about challenges they might face in specific areas.
To inquire about the availability of hardship allowance anywhere in Kenya, contact the respective county director, teacher union representatives or teachers working in the area.
Conclusion
Teaching in hardship areas in Kenya demands resilience, dedication, and a passion for making a difference in challenging circumstances.
The TSC, through its hardship allowances and designated areas, aims to acknowledge the efforts of teachers in these regions.
As teachers play a crucial role in shaping the future, understanding and navigating the landscape of TSC hardship areas becomes essential for both current and aspiring teachers in Kenya.
FAQs on TSC Hardship Areas
Q: What are TSC hardship areas, and why are they designated as such?
A: TSC hardship areas are regions in Kenya where teachers face unique challenges, such as insecurity and adverse weather conditions. These areas are designated based on specific criteria to recognize the difficulties faced by educators working there.
Q: How does the TSC identify hardship areas in Kenya?
A: The TSC identifies hardship areas based on factors like insecurity and adverse weather conditions.
These challenges not only affect teachers professionally but also pose potential threats to their well-being.
Q: What challenges do teachers face in hardship areas?
A: Teachers in hardship areas grapple with challenges like inadequate infrastructure and unfavorable working conditions.
Despite these difficulties, their commitment to providing quality education remains unwavering.
Q: What support does the TSC provide to teachers in hardship areas?
A: To motivate teachers in these challenging environments, the TSC offers hardship allowances. These allowances vary based on the TSC scale and grade of the teacher, providing financial incentives for their dedication.
Q: How can teachers find out if they are eligible for hardship allowances?
A: Teachers interested in knowing more about specific schools with hardship allowances can reach out to the TSC County director or teacher union representatives in the respective county.
They can also inquire from teachers working in the area.
Q: Is there an updated list of TSC hardship areas in Kenya?
A: Yes, the TSC has updated its list of hardship areas, focusing on specific counties and sub-counties in Kenya. This list reflects the commission’s commitment to transparency, ensuring that teachers are well-informed about the challenges they might face in specific areas.
Q: How can teachers navigate the landscape of TSC hardship areas in Kenya?
A: Understanding the challenges and support available in TSC hardship areas is essential for both current and aspiring teachers. Teachers can inquire about hardship allowances and specific challenges from the TSC County director, teacher union representatives, or teachers working in the area.
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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.
