The junior secondary school (JSS) intern teachers have threatened to leave the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) after union leaders did not publicly support their nationwide protests demanding confirmation on permanent and pensionable (PNP) terms. The dispute follows a Court of Appeal ruling that questioned the legality of the TSC internship programme and has left 44,000 JSS intern teachers uncertain about their employment status.
Key Takeaways
- About 44,000 JSS teachers are currently on internship terms with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
- A Court of Appeal declared the TSC internship programme null and void, arguing interns are qualified teachers and should be employed on PNP terms.
- Teachers are threatening to pull out of Kuppet after national officials did not visibly back the strike.
- TSC says it is seeking funds to confirm at least 20,000 intern teachers by January 2027, leaving 24,000 in limbo.
Why JSS intern teachers are striking
Many junior secondary school teachers employed as interns argue that they are fully trained and registered professionals. They say the internship label denies them job security and retirement benefits. The teachers want clear timelines for confirmation on permanent and pensionable terms rather than assurances that depend on future budget allocations.
The strike has affected learning in several counties. In some places, Kuppet officials did not join the industrial action. That absence has prompted frustration among interns, who say union silence undermines their cause and may push them to end their Kuppet membership.
What the Court ruling changed
On 27 February 2026, a Court of Appeal declared the seven-year-old TSC internship programme illegal for serving teachers. The court reasoned that internship contracts are meant for trainee teachers, not for those who are fully trained and registered. This judgment strengthened the interns’ position and heightened pressure on TSC and the government to confirm interns on PNP terms.
Numbers and timeline
TSC’s current internship cohort numbers 44,000 teachers. The Commission employed 20,000 intern teachers in January 2025 and later extended their contracts through 31 December 2026. In January of this year, TSC employed and posted an additional 24,000 intern teachers on one-year internship contracts.
Following the court judgment, TSC acting CEO Eveleen Mitei stated that the Commission is pursuing the necessary budgetary provisions to employ the 44,000 serving interns on permanent and pensionable terms. However, TSC has publicly targeted confirmation of only 20,000 interns by January 2027, creating uncertainty for the remaining 24,000.
Union response and teacher reactions
National Kuppet leaders had earlier threatened action over issues related to the Social Health Authority (SHA). That matter was addressed after meetings with SHA leadership and the Health Cabinet Secretary. But in the case of the intern confirmations, Kuppet leaders — including the secretary-general and chairman — have not appeared to publicly endorse the interns’ strike. This perceived reluctance has led some interns to consider withdrawing from the union.
In towns like Eldoret, striking teachers have explicitly demanded concrete timelines for confirmation instead of promises. The dispute reflects growing impatience among interns who face financial and career uncertainty.
Government and presidential stance
The government has said it needs time to mobilize funds to transition interns to PNP employment. President William Ruto previously indicated that government interns should undergo a two-year internship before being employed on permanent and pensionable terms. This requirement complicates the situation for teachers who and argue they already meet professional criteria.
What teachers and schools can do next
- Seek written timelines: Teachers should press for written confirmation of milestones and budget plans from TSC or the Ministry of Education.
- Document communications: Keep records of union and TSC statements to support future claims or negotiations.
- Explore professional resources: Teachers can use curriculum and teaching materials to maintain classroom continuity while negotiations continue.
- Engage with stakeholders: Coordinate with parents and school management to minimise learning disruption for learners.
Further resources for JSS teachers
To support lesson planning and maintain teaching standards during disruptions, JSS teachers can access curriculum and teaching materials:
- Junior secondary school curriculum designs — curriculum layouts and pacing guides for JSS levels.
- JSS teaching notes — teaching aids and lesson prompts for subject delivery.
- CBC curriculum designs — resources aligned to the Competency-Based Curriculum useful across grades.
Clear communication, written commitments, and coordinated action between teachers, unions, and TSC will be essential to resolving the dispute. While legal rulings have strengthened the interns’ case, practical confirmation depends on budgetary decisions and policy clarity from the Commission and government.
