The junior secondary school intern teachers are threatening industrial action after the government signalled plans to extend internship contracts instead of converting them immediately to permanent and pensionable terms. The dispute centres on the timing of TSC confirmation and whether interns will be required to serve two years before absorption into the permanent payroll.
Key Takeaways
- About 20,000 JSS intern teachers employed last November are resisting a proposed one-year contract extension.
- President William Ruto said interns must serve two years before absorption, while the Treasury has indicated funds will be available for confirmation.
- The Education Ministry says there is currently no budget for conversion; the Treasury CS has pledged Ksh 5.4 billion for confirmation.
- TSC will start document verification in December and plans to post new recruits in January to support the Competency Based Education rollout.
TSC confirmation: government statements and timelines
The government has offered mixed messages on TSC confirmation. President William Ruto stated that intern teachers will be absorbed into permanent and pensionable (PNP) terms only after serving a mandatory two-year internship. In contrast, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi later said the conversion would happen in January 2026 and that the Treasury would allocate Ksh 5.4 billion to support the exercise.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba told the National Assembly that the Ministry currently has no budget for confirming interns and that extending contracts could be an option unless resources are provided by the National Treasury. These conflicting statements have increased uncertainty among the interns and their union representatives.
Why JSS intern teachers oppose contract extensions
About 20,000 junior secondary school intern teachers recruited in November and posted in January are on one-year internship contracts ending 31 December 2025. The Kenya Junior School Teachers Association (KEJUSTA) has publicly opposed any further contract extension and has initiated legal action, arguing that extending internships without clear timelines violates labour expectations.
Many interns point to previous incidents where teachers served renewed contracts for two years without timely confirmation. In 2024, mass strikes and nationwide demonstrations forced the government to convert thousands of interns to permanent payroll, showing that collective action has been effective in the past.
What teachers will gain after confirmation
Teachers absorbed into the PNP payroll receive higher net pay and additional benefits. When earlier cohorts were converted they obtained improved salaries, comprehensive medical cover, formal leave entitlements, and access to personal loans. Currently, JSS interns earn a monthly stipend of Ksh 20,000 but take home roughly Ksh 17,000 after statutory deductions for NHIF, housing levy and NSSF—an amount criticised by public figures as insufficient for urban living.
Impact on schools and the CBE rollout
Teachers play a key role in implementing the Competency Based Education (CBE) curriculum. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has indicated that it will post new and recruited teachers in January to support the CBE rollout. TSC also plans to begin document verification for current recruits in December.
To access curriculum resources for the CBE rollout and classroom planning, school leaders and teachers can use materials such as CBC curriculum designs and JSS curriculum resources. Practical teaching aids and guidance are also available through curated CBC teaching notes to help teachers prepare for January postings.
Possible scenarios and next steps
- If Treasury releases the allocated Ksh 5.4 billion, the government may move ahead with confirmation as promised by the Treasury CS.
- If funds are not released, the Education Ministry may seek to extend contracts, which could trigger legal challenges and possible strikes led by KEJUSTA.
- TSC’s December verification exercise will be a key milestone — successful verification is likely to determine who is eligible for posting and possible confirmation.
Teachers and school administrators should monitor official TSC communications and prepare documentation for verification. Headteachers should also ensure that classroom plans align with the CBE requirements referenced in the curriculum materials linked above.
What interns and parents should know now
Interns should keep copies of their employment and qualification documents ready for TSC verification. Parents and community members should be aware that any industrial action could temporarily disrupt classes, but that the underlying issue is a push for fair and timely TSC confirmation and better working conditions for junior secondary teachers.
For revision materials and exam preparation related to the new curriculum and senior school transition, schools can refer to additional resources such as CBC exam resources to support learners during any short-term disruptions.
