Over 46,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers in Kenya will be absorbed on permanent and pensionable terms. This significant announcement came on Tuesday during a press conference held by the Finance Committee of the National Assembly following a Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary Group meeting chaired by President William Ruto at State House.
This Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting was convened just hours before the tabling of the Finance Bill, 2024 in Parliament and amidst ongoing protests dubbed “Occupy Parliament.” The protests aimed to pressure the National Assembly to reject the bill. Despite the tense atmosphere, the announcement brought a sense of relief and victory to the tens of thousands of JSS teachers who had been on internship status and went on strike last month to push for permanent employment.
Molo MP Kimani Kuria, the chairman of the committee, confirmed that Ksh18 billion had been allocated for the employment of the teachers. “The PG was also informed that adequate funds – Ksh18 billion – have been provided for the employment of all 46,000 Junior Secondary teachers who are on internship,” said Kuria. This move ensures that the teachers will now have job security and access to pension benefits, a significant upgrade from their previous temporary status.
In addition to the absorption of the current interns, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is set to hire an additional 20,000 interns next month to address the ongoing teacher shortage in the country. “The funds have also been provided to hire 20,000 interns next month. The policy is now to transition teachers from internship to permanent and pensionable terms,” Kuria added.
This decision is seen as a crucial step in improving the education sector in Kenya. It is expected to enhance the quality of education by providing teachers with the stability and motivation needed to focus on their teaching duties. Moreover, it aligns with the government’s broader strategy to invest in education and ensure that schools are adequately staffed with qualified teachers.
The move has been lauded by various stakeholders, including teacher unions and education advocates, who have long called for better employment terms for teachers. It represents a significant win for the education sector and a step towards fulfilling the promises made by the Kenya Kwanza government to improve the welfare of teachers and the quality of education in the country.
As the Finance Bill, 2024, is tabled in Parliament, all eyes will be on the National Assembly to see how the allocated funds will be managed and implemented to ensure that the promises made are kept. The absorption of the 46,000 JSS teachers marks a historic moment in Kenya’s educational landscape and sets a precedent for future policies aimed at supporting and enhancing the teaching profession.
