Ombudsman Urges Overhaul of Teachers’ Pension System
Commission Calls for Pension Reforms
The Commission on Administrative Justice (Ombudsman) has urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to overhaul its pension system. Moreover, the Ombudsman recommended the re-establishment of a stand-alone pension unit to ensure timely processing of pension and gratuity claims.
The press release issued on Thursday, January 8, emphasized that reforms are necessary to end prolonged delays affecting retired teachers.
Investigation Reveals Lengthy Delays
Following rising public complaints, the Ombudsman conducted an investigation into pension benefit processing. Consequently, the findings revealed that pensions for teachers retiring compulsorily were delayed between two and four years.
Additionally, gratuity claims took between four and over six years to be settled, leaving retirees financially strained. The Commission attributed delays to insufficient staffing, inadequate resources, weak supervision, and frequent system outages.
Challenges Facing Pension Processing
According to the Ombudsman, incomplete or erroneous documentation from retirees or next of kin worsened the situation. Furthermore, the excessive workload imposed on a small number of officers slowed down claim verification.
The Pension Management Information System (PMIS) also experienced frequent outages, while outdated communication methods hindered efficiency. In some cases, local administrators colluded with families to misrepresent dependents, particularly in polygamous households, complicating verification further.
Recommendations for Transparency and Efficiency
The Ombudsman suggested updating pension workflows, enhancing digitalization, and introducing collaborative case-tracking tools. Moreover, the Commission recommended disclosing pending claims and implementing regular staff training to improve efficiency.
To restore equity, the Pension Department was instructed to adopt a verifiable “first-in, first-out” payment system. Ultimately, the Ombudsman urged the National Treasury to allocate and disburse pension funds on time to prevent future delays
