The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has called for urgent action to address the plight of thousands of intern teachers across the country. The union’s secretary general, Akelo Misori, has demanded that the government immediately convert the 46,000 teachers currently working under internship contracts into permanent and pensionable employees.
This push comes amid growing concerns about the state of education funding and the overall treatment of teachers in Kenya. Kuppet’s demands also extend to the hiring of an additional 20,000 intern teachers specifically for junior secondary schools (JSS), reflecting a broader need to bolster staffing levels in the education sector.
Misori’s criticism of the government’s recent budgetary decisions underscores the union’s frustration. The government recently announced a reduction in education funding, attributing the cuts to the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024. This move has sparked significant backlash from various stakeholders, with Kuppet pointing out the adverse impact on the quality of education and the welfare of educators.
In addition to the immediate hiring of the intern teachers, Kuppet is calling for the full implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which outlines various terms of employment and benefits for teachers. The union is also pressing for the disbursement of overdue medical funds, which have been pending for an extended period.
Misori has urged the government to prioritize the conversion of internship positions to permanent roles, emphasizing that such a step is crucial for the stability and morale of the teaching workforce. “The State must act now to secure the future of these dedicated educators by offering them permanent and pensionable positions. This is not just a matter of policy but of justice and respect for the teaching profession,” Misori stated.
The call for permanent employment and improved funding highlights the ongoing challenges within Kenya’s education sector, which faces pressure from various fronts, including staffing shortages and financial constraints. As the debate continues, the focus remains on how the government will respond to these demands and the implications for the future of education in Kenya.
