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{
"id": 1522180,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1522180/?format=api",
"text_counter": 186,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Betty Montet",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Further, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), informed the Committee that the Commission has no legal mandate to gazette any area as a hardship area. However, under Regulation 9.1 of the Code of Regulations of Teachers, the TSC is mandated to pay hardship allowance to teachers who qualify or in designated areas. Madam Temporary Speaker, the mandate of classifying the gazetting hardship areas rests with the Ministry of Public Service and Human Capital Development following a weighted criterion. This criterion is based on parameters such as availability and accessibility of food, potable water, social service and amenities, adequacy of transport and communication services, and socio-economic indicators. The Committee observed that there exists diverse and varied policies, circulars and guidelines concerning the designation of hardship areas and payment of hardship allowance. There has been an attempt to address challenges regarding the categorisation of payment of hardship allowances and to ratify existing disparities. The Ministry of Public Service and Gender established an Inter-Agency Technical Committee in 2019, which was tasked to examine policies on hardship allowances and streamline payment. This Inter Agency Technical Committee is comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Public Works and Human Capital Development, Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, Ministry of Education, the National Treasury and Planning, the Judiciary, Public Service Commission, Teacher Service Commission, Commission on Revenue Allocation, Kenya Bureau of Statistics and the Council of Governors. Madam Temporary Speaker, on the question of payment of house allowance, the Committee observed that according to Article 230 of the Constitution, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), is mandated to advise the remuneration and benefits of public officers, including teachers. On such benefit, it is house allowance that is provided to public officers to cater for accommodation or rent, in addition to the wages or salaries of the employee pursuant to Employment Act 2007 Section 31.1. Teachers under permanent and pensionable terms are paid house allowance based on the job group, working conditions, status, town and geographical area. The Urban Areas and Cities Act of 2011, provides a framework of classifying areas as urban areas, towns, cities or municipalities. To elevate a municipality to city status, the President can grant this through a charter following a resolution from the Senate, provided the municipality meets specific criteria. An area may also be designated as a special purpose city under the Act if it holds significant cultural, economic or political importance. For a town to be conferred with municipal status, the county assembly must pass a resolution and the county governor can then grant this status through a charter, provided the town meets established criteria. The set-out criteria and obligations include meeting the population quota, produce an integrated development plan, have demonstrated revenue generation and collection potential, have capacity to effectively and efficiently deliver essential services to residents and have adequate infrastructure. Madam Temporary Speaker, despite the clear framework of classifying and upgrading urban areas outlined in the Act, there was a delay in implementing related The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}