Petitioner urges the National Assembly Speaker to allow debate on the controversial teacher internship programme affecting over 20,000 graduate teachers.
A Kenyan teacher has renewed his appeal to Parliament seeking intervention in what he describes as the continued exploitation of graduate teachers under the current internship programme.
Mr Kipkirui Luin has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly requesting reconsideration of a petition challenging the treatment and remuneration of graduate teacher interns in Junior Secondary Schools.
The move follows an earlier response from the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly, which acknowledged receiving his petition but advised that Parliament could not process it because the matter was already before the courts.
However, Luin argues that the parliamentary petition addresses a different issue—budgetary allocation—rather than the legal interpretation of contracts currently under judicial review.
In his appeal dated March 3, 2026, Luin asked Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to exercise his discretionary powers to allow the petition to proceed to the Departmental Committee on Education for consideration. Appeal letter 3-3-2026
The controversy centres on the government’s internship programme for Junior Secondary School teachers, which many stakeholders say has placed qualified teachers in prolonged temporary employment with low stipends and uncertain career progression.
According to Luin, the issue has significant national implications because the internship programme directly affects both teachers and the learning environment in schools across the country.
“This matter affects the livelihoods of over 20,000 graduate teachers and the quality of education for millions of Kenyan children in Junior Secondary Schools,” he stated in the appeal. Appeal letter 3-3-2026
Luin insists that parliamentary debate on the issue would not interfere with the court case because the courts are dealing with contractual legality, while Parliament holds the constitutional authority to allocate funds.
“The court cannot direct the National Treasury to allocate KSh 5.06 billion; only Parliament holds the power of the purse,” he noted.
He further warned that delays in addressing the teacher internship programme could worsen the situation for thousands of young professionals already struggling under temporary employment arrangements.
The petitioner also highlighted the urgency created by the ongoing supplementary budget process, arguing that this presents the most immediate opportunity for lawmakers to address the internship challenge.
“With the supplementary budget currently under consideration, the window to resolve this crisis for the current financial year is closing,” he wrote.
Luin is now urging Parliament to treat the matter as one of exceptional public interest and allow the petition to be tabled before the Education Committee.
If admitted, the committee would be expected to engage the National Treasury on a possible reallocation of KSh 5.06 billion to address the graduate teacher internship programme.
READ ALSO: Parliament declines petition challenging TSC graduate teacher internship model
Education observers say the debate around the teacher internship model reflects broader concerns about employment pathways for young professionals entering the education sector.
For thousands of teacher interns across Kenya, the outcome of the parliamentary appeal could determine whether the internship programme remains a temporary engagement framework or evolves into a pathway toward permanent employment.
By Joseph Mambili
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