Concerns grow over fate of non-local teachers in NEP as contracts near expiry

A sense of uncertainty is growing among a group of young teachers recruited in June 2023 to serve in Kenya’s North Eastern region, as their two-year contracts approach expiry in June amid conflicting signals on employment and deployment within the education sector.

The affected teachers, who were deployed under special recruitment efforts to address acute staffing shortages in hardship areas, now say they are facing an unclear future.

According to several of them, they have served diligently under challenging conditions characterised by insecurity, harsh climate and limited social amenities, yet their continued service remains uncertain.

Reports from the ground indicate that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) recently advertised some of the same positions they currently occupy and proceeded to recruit local candidates.

This development has sparked anxiety among the non-local teachers, who fear they may not be absorbed into permanent and pensionable terms despite completing their contractual obligations.

Further concerns have also been raised following remarks attributed to President William Ruto, where it was indicated that 1,800 employment forms were dispatched to North Eastern counties and reportedly earmarked for local applicants.

While the move is seen by some stakeholders as a way of promoting local inclusion and addressing regional disparities in employment, affected teachers say it has deepened their sense of exclusion.

“We have given our best in very difficult environments for almost three years. Now we do not know whether we are going to be retained or simply replaced,” said one teacher who requested anonymity due to fear of victimisation.

The situation appears to contrast with recent national policy statements suggesting that teachers who have served on contract for two years should be confirmed to permanent and pensionable terms.

This has further fueled confusion among the affected educators, who are now calling for clarity from the TSC and the Ministry of Education.

READ ALSO: TSC fails to show up for MPs’ grilling over interdicted NEP teachers

Teacher unions and education stakeholders have also begun expressing concern over the matter, warning that uncertainty in deployment and retention could demoralise educators serving in hardship regions, potentially worsening the staffing crisis in already vulnerable areas.

The teachers are now appealing for transparency, fairness and urgent communication from relevant authorities, urging that their years of service and commitment in hardship areas be recognised in any ongoing or future recruitment decisions.

By Kimwele Mutuku