- The commission is focused on absorbing the current cohort of interns, whose two-year internship period is set to lapse by January 2027
- Confirming the interns is expected to require a substantial budgetary allocation in the 2026/2027 financial year
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has told the National Assembly that it will not recruit new teachers on permanent and pensionable terms in the 2026/2027 financial year until it has confirmed the 20,000 interns currently serving in public schools.
Appearing before the National Assembly, TSC Acting Chief Executive Officer, Evaleen Mitei, told lawmakers that the commission is focused on absorbing the current cohort of interns, whose two-year internship period is set to lapse by January 2027.
According to Mitei, it would be inappropriate for the commission to bring on new permanent staff while thousands of interns who have already been serving in classrooms remain unconfirmed.
The commission’s stance is expected to bring relief to the 20,000 interns, many of whom have been anxious about their employment prospects as their contracts approach expiry.
TSC noted that the internship programme was structured to expose teachers to practical classroom experience ahead of their eventual transition into permanent and pensionable employment.
The commission’s position mirrors recent remarks by President William Ruto, who has maintained that the government’s teacher internship initiative is designed to run for two years, after which successful interns are absorbed into full employment.
ALSO READ:
TSC shifts teacher payroll verification to school heads in major T-Pay reforms
Confirming the interns is expected to require a substantial budgetary allocation in the 2026/2027 financial year, and forms part of wider government efforts to plug teacher shortages in public schools while cushioning young educators with job security.
Education stakeholders have for a long time called for the absorption of teacher interns, arguing that many have served diligently under contractual terms and deserve full employment benefits.
Should Parliament approve the plan, it would result in one of the largest single transitions of intern teachers into the permanent workforce witnessed in recent years.
The announcement also marks a shift in TSC’s recruitment priorities, with the commission signalling that clearing the internship backlog will take precedence over any fresh permanent recruitment drive.
By Philip Koech
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
