Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has demanded the immediate confirmation of Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers, accusing the government of reneging on earlier employment commitments.
Branch Executive Secretary Charles Ngeno said the union was perturbed by President William Ruto’s recent remarks suggesting that JSS interns should renew their contracts, despite initially being informed—during the October recruitment—that they would serve for only one year before confirmation.
Speaking during a press conference in Narok town, Ngeno insisted that all JSS intern teachers should be confirmed by January, arguing that they deserve permanent and pensionable (PnP) terms to enable them to serve schools effectively.
“This team is demoralised because of the little money they are being paid. They earn Sh17,000, which translates to less than Sh500 per day—an amount equal to a casual labourer—yet these are trained professionals,” Ngeno said.
He added that the courts had already ruled that a prolonged internship constitutes an illegality, and urged the President to abide by that decision.
Ngeno also questioned the allocation of funds to other youth programmes such as NYOTA, saying resources should instead be prioritised for qualified teachers who “have sacrificed their time and been trained to serve learners.”
He appealed to both President Ruto and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to confirm the approximately 20,000 JSS intern teachers currently serving across the country.
The interim spokesperson for JSS intern teachers in Narok County, Ezra Chiloba, echoed KUPPET’s concerns, saying they were unhappy with the government’s decision to retain them on internship terms with a low stipend.
Chiloba called for confirmation to permanent terms, arguing that intern teachers handle the same workload and responsibilities as fully employed teachers.
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He noted that the Sh3.5 billion meant for the confirmation of interns should be factored into the upcoming supplementary budget.
Chiloba also revealed that many intern teachers are facing delayed HELB repayments and accruing penalties due to employment delays. He urged the National Treasury to allocate sufficient funds to finalise their confirmation.
On her part, Union Treasurer Seela Kuluo demanded immediate confirmation of JSS intern teachers, noting that many of them are experiencing mistreatment and poor working conditions in primary schools.
Kuluo said JSS teachers are better suited to secondary school environments, where facilities such as laboratories are available.
She cited the example of Grade 9 learners who, during the KJSEA science practical exam, were given theory papers instead because primary schools lack proper science labs.
According to her, this has resulted in “half-baked learners,” especially in science subjects.
Kuluo urged the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms to reconsider its earlier directive and grant JSS full autonomy, including relocating learners to well-equipped secondary schools.
The press conference was also attended by Eric Simel, union aspirant for JSS representative, Mary Payni, Gender Aspirant and Nkuito Silole, Aspirant for Gender One.
By Philip Koech
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