The government is under intense pressure to confirm JSS intern teachers recruited this year by converting them to permanent and pensionable (PNP) terms. Treasury and education officials have given mixed signals, but a January 2026 confirmation window and a proposed Sh. 54 billion allocation have been cited as possible steps toward absorption.
Key Takeaways
- There is public and political pressure for TSC confirmation of JSS intern teachers before the end of the year.
- Treasury has mentioned a proposed Sh. 54 billion allocation to confirm interns on PNP terms in January 2026.
- TSC will start document verification in December and post teachers in January to support the Competency Based Education (CBE) roll‑out.
- Previous intern cohorts won confirmation through industrial action; confirmed teachers moved from probation to PNP payroll and gained improved benefits.
TSC confirmation of JSS intern teachers: current status
The interns recruited in November and posted in January are on one‑year contracts that expire in December. Politicians, teacher activists and education bloggers are urging the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Treasury to confirm about 20,000 junior secondary school (JSS) intern teachers to permanent and pensionable terms.
What officials have said
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has repeatedly assured interns that the government plans to confirm them on PNP terms starting January 2026. He referenced a proposed Sh. 54 billion provision in support of this move. However, other officials, including some TSC administrators and the Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, have at times signalled possible contract renewals, creating uncertainty among interns.
Numbers, timelines and process
TSC is finalising recruitment processes for an additional intake of junior school interns and is expected to begin document verification exercises in December. Teachers will then be posted in January to support the Competency Based Education (CBE) transition.
For context, earlier intern groups faced long waits. In 2024 a large group of junior school interns pushed for confirmation through nationwide industrial action. The previous successful absorption to PNP payroll occurred in January 2025 for some cohorts after a period of strike action and subsequent verification.
Why confirmation matters
- Salary and benefits: Conversion to PNP improves pay, medical cover, loan access and leave entitlements.
- Job security: Permanent terms end uncertainty that affects teacher retention and morale.
- Support for CBE: Stable staffing helps schools implement Competency Based Education smoothly when interns are posted in January.
Practical advice for JSS intern teachers
If you are an intern, prepare for the December document verification. Keep original academic certificates, identity documents, and evidence of any professional requirements in a neat file. Stay in touch with your sub‑county office and Curriculum Support Officers for specific verification dates and any document checklists they issue.
Note the salary concerns voiced publicly: some leaders have highlighted that junior secondary teachers on internship earn about Ksh 17,000. That figure has been central to calls for timely confirmation to PNP payroll where higher pay and benefits apply.
Implications for schools and CBE rollout
Confirmation and posting of interns will boost classroom staffing ahead of the next term. Schools expecting additional JSS teachers should plan induction activities and align new staff to the Competency Based Education syllabus. For teachers seeking curriculum support, downloadable materials and course designs can help with lesson planning and subject delivery.
Find curriculum and teaching resources such as free JSS curriculum designs and free CBC curriculum designs to support your lessons. Senior secondary teachers and students can also access revision materials like the KCSE revision papers 2025 for targeted exam preparation.
What to watch next
- Official TSC notices on document verification dates and posting lists.
- Treasury budget releases confirming the proposed Sh. 54 billion allocation and the timeline for payroll adjustments.
- Local TSC offices and Sub‑County Directors for updates on contract renewals or confirmations.
In short, the path to TSC confirmation of JSS intern teachers appears to hinge on final budget decisions and the December verification exercise. Interns and school managers should prepare documents now and monitor official communications closely.
