Government to recruit 20,000 intern teachers to curb shortage

The government has announced that it will recruit 20,000 intern teachers as from January next year to address shortages in junior secondary schools.

This comes after President Ruto, during Labour day celebration on May 1, announced the government’s plan to recruit 20, 000 in a fresh intern recruitment, adding that the government had set aside Kshs 2.4 billion to facilitate the employment of new interns as part of efforts to address the country’s teachers shortage.

“We have recruited over 76,000 teachers in the last two years, and we have now allocated Ksh 2.4 billion to hire additional 20,000 intern teachers. This is part our broader plan to ensure every child has access to quality education, no matter where they live,” Ruto said.

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The President also said the government has also allocated Ksh 1.6 billion for teacher capacity building and Ksh 1 billion for promotion in order to complement the recruitment drive.

“These investments are not just numbers on budget line, they mean better student-teacher ratios, enhanced literacy and numeracy, and stable dignified jobs,” Dr Ruto added.

He said the teachers will be deployed to junior secondary schools that experience shortages.

The President’s pronouncements was well received by Education stakeholders with Kenya National unions of Teachers (Knut) Secretary General Collins Oyuu saying the decision is a step in the right direction.

“The idea is worthwhile, but we also urge that these interns be quickly transitioned into permanent and pensionable terms,” Oyuu said.

The Knut boss also pointed out that some politicians allied to the government have been accused of dishing out teacher employment letters in rallies and funerals, condemned the act and warned them against interfering with the teachers’ recruitment process which frequently lead to sidelining of qualified teachers in favor of new graduates.

By Brian Ndigo