KUPPET-8 More Zones and Disapproves MoE’s Decision to Reduce Hardship Areas
NAIROBI, Kenya – June 2025 – The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has issued a firm rebuttal to a proposal by the Ministry of Public Service to reduce the number of officially recognized hardship zones under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Instead of scaling back, KUPPET is advocating for an expansion of the hardship list, calling for immediate action on Parliament-approved recommendations to include more counties experiencing difficult working conditions for teachers.
Strong Opposition to Reducing Hardship Zones
Speaking on behalf of the union, KUPPET Secretary-General Akello Misori declared the union’s total opposition to the Ministry’s plan, reiterating the commitment to retain all 44 hardship areas currently listed by TSC.
“The union will fight for the retention of all the 44 hardship areas recognized under the TSC operations,” Misori affirmed during a press briefing.
KUPPET leaders from both national and regional levels cited ongoing challenges faced by teachers in remote and underserved regions—ranging from poor infrastructure and insecurity to limited access to basic amenities—as justification for maintaining, if not expanding, the list.
Proposed Hardship Zones Awaiting Gazettement
Rather than eliminating existing hardship regions, KUPPET is pushing for the formal recognition of additional hardship areas, including:
- Chepalungu Sub-county
- Chonyi Sub-county
- Nyatike West, North, and South
- Rachuonyo North
- Mwala and Kalama Sub-counties
Union officials noted that these areas have already been vetted and approved by the National Assembly, but the Ministry of Public Service has failed to gazette them, thereby denying teachers the rightful allowances and support.
“These are not arbitrary suggestions. These sub-counties have been discussed and validated. The Ministry’s delay is unjustified,” said one regional KUPPET leader.
Teachers Speak Out: “It’s a Step Backwards”
Teachers working in current and proposed hardship areas voiced frustration and disappointment at the Ministry’s move, terming it as “punitive and regressive.”
“We face daily struggles in these regions, and reducing the hardship list only adds insult to injury,” said a teacher from Rachuonyo North.
Another KUPPET official emphasized that removing hardship status would mean a loss of critical allowances that make life bearable for educators stationed in remote or underdeveloped regions.
KUPPET’s Demands to the Ministry
KUPPET is calling for the following immediate actions:
- Retain all 44 currently recognized hardship zones
- Officially gazette all Parliament-endorsed new hardship areas
- Stop any further attempt to reduce hardship allowances or zones
- Involve teacher unions in any future policy revisions affecting hardship classification
The union warned of potential industrial action if the Ministry fails to heed its demands, noting that educator morale and retention in hardship areas are already fragile.
Conclusion: A Call to Protect Teachers Working Under Extreme Conditions
KUPPET’s firm stance underscores the critical role of teacher welfare in quality education delivery. As the government pushes policy reforms, teacher unions remind the public that realities on the ground cannot be ignored.
Recognizing and expanding hardship zones isn’t a privilege—it’s a necessity.
Teachers in underserved areas deserve support, not setbacks.
