Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers in Nairobi County on Thursday intensified their calls for permanent employment, joining colleagues across the country in a coordinated protest targeting the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) headquarters.
In a dramatic and symbolic act, dozens of interns knelt at the entrance of the TSC offices, raised their right hands, and took an oath vowing not to renew their internship contracts unless they are confirmed. Security officers watched helplessly as the teachers recited the oath, saying the demonstration remained peaceful and within their rights.
The protestors, most of them carrying placards, staged the action to highlight what they described as “deep frustration, exploitation, and neglect” by the Commission.
They argue that despite signing 12-month internship contracts, they will not allow their contracts to be extended for two years or more without any indication of confirmation.
One of the interns led the oath, declaring:
“Me as an intern, I do swear that the words I will utter are true and to the best of my knowledge. So help me God. I signed an agreement of 12 months, not two years. I am tired of earning Sh17,000, which is less than the airtime allowance of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula. I reject the exploitation of cheap labour. I reject policies that deny us dignity, growth, security, and fair compensation. My internship has no medical cover. Politicians are dishing out employment letters while I, a child of a lesser God, give cheap labour. Therefore, I shall not renew the contract. No confirmation, no renewal, no STEM, no school in January. So help me God.”
Their chants echoed through the TSC gate as passers-by stopped to watch the rare spectacle of teachers performing a collective oath kneeling on the pavement.
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The interns insisted they play a critical role in the rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and accused TSC of ignoring their contribution.
They urged the government to intervene and provide a clear path to permanent and pensionable terms.
The nationwide protests come at a sensitive time, with schools expected to reopen in January and staffing gaps in Junior Secondary already a growing concern.
By Kimwele Mutuku
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