Teachers from various Junior Schools (JS) in Machakos County on Monday, April 27, staged a peaceful demonstration, demanding to be employed on permanent and pensionable terms.
The teachers, led by the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Machakos County Executive Secretary, Yvonne Musyoka, called for the confirmation of 44,000 teachers currently serving as interns across the country.
They vowed to remain on the streets until their demands are met, saying that they are tired of being taken in circles by the government.
“We shall not accept anything less than the confirmation of our members to permanent and pensionable terms,” said Musyoka, speaking to the crowd.
She also criticized the government’s failure to address the issue despite repeated promises from politicians, and urged Members of Parliament to allocate sufficient funds to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to facilitate the confirmation process.
Musyoka also challenged the Acting TSC Chief Executive Officer, Evaleen Mitei, to prioritize securing funds necessary for confirming the intern teachers, emphasizing that the current situation is unsustainable.
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“Teachers are tired of the empty promises from politicians regarding our internship status. The issue needs urgent attention, and it is high time the TSC was empowered to act,” Musyoka added.
Branch Chairman Martin Mutisya weighed in on the matter, insisting that the internship system should be abolished in line with a High Court ruling that declared it illegal.
The protesting teachers also expressed frustration with the meager Ksh 17,000 monthly stipend provided to interns, arguing that the amount is insufficient to cover their basic needs.
Mutisya. Said they cannot continue to survive on such an amount, especially considering the demands of the profession and the challenges they face on a daily basis.
The teachers’ protest is expected to continue until the government meets their demands. They are calling for the immediate employment of interns on permanent contracts, a move they believe is long overdue.
By Obegi Malack
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