In a significant development for the education sector, around 26,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers are set to be employed on a permanent and pensionable basis starting July 1, 2024. This allocation of Sh8.3 billion by the Kenyan Parliament for their recruitment marks a departure from the initial plan of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to commence hiring from January 1, 2025.
Under the leadership of Julius Melly, the National Assembly’s Committee on Education has instructed the TSC to streamline the recruitment process and ensure efficient utilization of the allocated funds. Melly, speaking before the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC), stressed the urgency of initiating the employment process by July 2024, aligning with the revised budgetary arrangements.
Melly asserted during the budget defense for the Ministry of Education for the financial year 2024/25, “Starting from the next fiscal year, the Teachers Service Commission must optimize the recruitment procedures to ensure full utilization of allocated resources.” Additionally, he underscored the committee’s directive for the TSC to evaluate staffing requirements across all fundamental learning institutions within six months, thereby facilitating optimal resource allocation for the future.
Moreover, the committee has identified the need for an additional Sh4.68 billion to recruit an additional 20,000 intern teachers in the forthcoming financial year. This initiative forms part of a broader strategy aimed at bolstering the staffing of educational institutions nationwide, addressing enduring shortages of teachers.
The transition of 26,000 intern teachers to permanent and pensionable positions signifies a pivotal milestone in Kenya’s educational reforms, promising stability and boosting morale among educators. This decision reflects a strategic investment in the nation’s educational infrastructure, with the objective of cultivating improved learning environments and supporting the professional growth of teachers.
Anticipated to positively impact the quality of education in Kenya, this move ensures that schools are adequately staffed while providing job security for teachers. Over the past few weeks, JSS teachers have staged demonstrations, advocating for permanent employment and enhanced remuneration, underscoring the significance of this decision by the government.
