EDUCATIONS NEWS

teachers union has appealed to MPs to approve a Sh8bn budget

teachers union has appealed to MPs to approve a Sh8bn budget

teachers union has appealed to MPs to approve a Sh8bn budget

A teachers union has appealed to MPs to approve a Sh8bn budget for a comprehensive medical cover of teachers.

Kuppet secretary general Akello Misori said budget constraints could block teachers from getting medical services.

Misori said according to TSC the allocated budget for teachers insurance scheme is Sh15 billion.

“We want MPs to hasten the process and approve the amount because NHIF, which is the most preferred cover, wants Sh23.9 billion,” Misori said.

He told a press briefing, on Thursday, most teachers prefer the NHIF option.

“What we don’t want is to have teachers living in fear. So TSC must be open and give this tender to the highest bidder,” he said.

The union boss said Kuppet believes in legislators to solve the dilemma of teachers medical insurance scheme.

Misori said the deficit means NHIF is ruled out of the tender to offer comprehensive medical services for teachers.

“There’s a deficit that can only be guaranteed by treasury and parliament. We ask parliament to play its constitutional role to give teachers the best cover,” he said.

In August, TSC advertised for an insurance service provider for teachers.

According to an advert from TSC, interested providers had up to August, 22,  10am to submit their applications.

“Teachers Service Commission invites sealed tenders for the provision of comprehensive teacher’s medical insurance cover,” the circular reads.

TSC procured and awarded Minet Kenya Insurance Brokers the contract for the provision of medical cover for all teachers and their dependants with effect from November 1, 2019.

“Tendering will be conducted under a competitive National Open Tender using a standardised tender document and is open to all qualified and interested,” the advert reads.

For a provider to qualify, they should have valid registration certificates from Insurance Regulatory Authority.

The contract awarded will serve for a period of under three years and can be renewed annually based on performance.

In February, lawmakers wanted the Nancy Macharia-led commission to heed to teachers’ cries and change the medical insurance cover provider.

Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba said the current provider (Aon- Minet) has been serving teachers for a very long and it’s time for a change.

He explained that teachers are not fully satisfied.

“I want to request TSC to change providers, teachers are really complaining,” Milemba said.

TSC finance manager Cheptumo Ayabei said the change of providers necessitates lots of tendering procedures but that will be put into consideration.

“The suggestion is noted, TSC will try but it will be limited by policy. TSC will work to see if we can get a new provider,” he said

In February 2022, Minet issued new terms for its teachers and dependants seeking medical services.

Teachers who wished to change their dependants were only allowed to do so once a year.

Among the new rules, Minet said it will no longer use code verification in all facilities it listed, it was replaced with biometric verification.

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