President William Ruto has assured that Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers working as interns in Kenya will be offered permanent and pensionable contracts after completing two years of service. Speaking at a press event on Thursday evening, the Head of State emphasized that there will be no negotiations or delays once the two-year period is completed.
“We decided that the JSS interns would be hired on permanent and pensionable basis after two years of service; no negotiation,” Ruto said. “I want you (the media) to give assurance to every intern that once two years are over, there is no negotiation, no back and forth, straight into permanent and pensionable,” he added.
The move comes amid rising pressure from the 20,000 JSS teachers whose contracts are nearing expiry. Teachers have argued that they should have been made permanent after one year of service, but the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has yet to finalize their status.
This announcement follows a series of protests and demonstrations by JSS interns in Nairobi, highlighting concerns over the implementation of the Competence-Based Education (CBE) curriculum and the teachers’ employment conditions. In June 2024, a strike by JSS teachers prompted the Budget and Appropriation Committee to instruct the TSC to hire interns on permanent and pensionable terms, citing sufficient government funding in the 2024/2025 financial year.
Beyond employment terms, JSS teachers are also demanding full administrative autonomy from both primary and senior secondary schools. They argue that placing JSS within primary schools has created confusion regarding co-curricular activities and administrative responsibilities. The teachers are advocating for a distinct administrative framework that aligns with the needs of JSS learners.
The President’s directive is expected to end uncertainty for JSS interns and provide a stable workforce for Kenya’s education system. It also signals the government’s commitment to improving the quality of education under the new CBE curriculum, ensuring that teachers receive fair and secure employment.
