TSC Sets 2-Year Deadline for 46,000 Intern Teachers
TSC Sets 2-Year Deadline for 46,000 Intern Teachers. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has unequivocally stated that intern teachers will only be considered for permanent positions after completing a mandatory two-year internship. In a recent appearance before the Senate Education Committee, TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia outlined the commission’s plans to renew contracts for current intern teachers, set to commence in January 2024.
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Despite acknowledging the need for a transition. Macharia pointed out budget constraints, ruling out the immediate conversion of the existing 46,000 intern teachers to permanent and pensionable (pnp) status. Emphasizing the lack of necessary funds for such a transition. She expressed willingness to absorb them if the required budget is allocated.
TSC plans to absorb primary and secondary school intern teachers into the pnp payroll as early as 2025. Macharia specified that the transition would occur based on the recruitment month of each of the 46,000 intern teachers.
In alignment with TSC Director of Teachers Staffing Antonina Lentoijoni’s previous statements, Macharia reiterated that the terms of employment for the 46,000 teachers would automatically shift to pnp after two years of service.
It’s important to note that there are two batches of interns—those who began on February 1 and those who started on September 1. Lentoijoni clarified that extension letters for an additional year, scheduled for December, apply to the February cohort.
The Commission’s recent recruitment efforts include hiring 20,000 intern teachers in February and an additional 20,000 in August this year. Furthermore, in January 2022, TSC assigned 1,995 intern teachers to schools, renewing contracts for 4,005 whose term ended in December 2021, bringing the total to 46,000.
Looking ahead, TSC plans to recruit another 20,000 intern teachers to support Grade 8 classes starting in January. Interns in primary schools currently receive a monthly stipend of Kshs. 15,000, while their counterparts in secondary schools get Kshs. 20,000. However, deductions of approximately sh. 3,000 for secondary and sh. 2,000 for primary school interns impact their net pay.
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This complex situation has triggered demonstrations and protests from junior secondary school (JSS) intern teachers across at least ten counties. They are challenging the two-year internship rule imposed by TSC, advocating for immediate permanent employment after one year of service.
Adding to the complexity, intern teachers in Meru and Kisii counties are pushing for a review of the stipend, urging an increase from sh. 20,000 to at least sh. 25,000 per month for secondary school interns.
In response, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (Kuppet) has issued a stern warning of potential industrial action in January if TSC fails to expedite the conversion of these teachers to pnp status.