JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL (JSS) teachers in Murang’a are calling on the government to offer permanent employment and better pay as their one-year internship contracts near expiry in December 2025.
The nearly 20,000 teachers, recruited nationwide in November 2024, were deployed to schools in January 2025. However, with their contracts set to end soon, they have received no assurances from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) regarding their confirmation.
The teachers expressed frustration over the prolonged uncertainty, saying it has disrupted their personal and professional lives. “We are living in limbo. We cannot plan our future or meet basic expenses on a Ksh17,000 stipend,” said one teacher. The stipend, they argue, is insufficient to cover essentials such as rent, transportation, and daily living costs, especially given the rising cost of living.
Local leaders, civil society activists, and union representatives joined the teachers in their protests, urging the government to act swiftly and allocate funds for their permanent hiring. They also criticized the TSC for failing to provide a clear roadmap or timelines for confirmation, warning that extending their internship further would breach contractual agreements.
Acting TSC CEO Eveleen Mitei has not given a definitive response regarding the transition process, further fueling uncertainty among the interns.
Meanwhile, President William Ruto and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba have repeatedly assured that the government plans to recruit 24,000 new teachers by January 2026 to address teacher shortages in public schools. However, it remains unclear how these positions will be distributed across JSS, secondary, and primary schools.
Public schools, particularly in remote areas, continue to face high student-to-teacher ratios, highlighting the urgent need for increased recruitment and proper employment of the current JSS teaching workforce.
As January 2026 approaches, Murang’a teachers remain steadfast in demanding permanent employment and a pay structure that reflects their professional responsibilities and the cost of living.
