The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is likely to renew the internship contracts for 20,000 junior school intern teachers for another year. The teachers, who were recruited in November last year, had signed a one-year contract running from January 1 to December 31, 2025. Many are hopeful for confirmation into permanent and pensionable (pnp) terms come January 2026; however, concerns have arisen regarding the possible extension of their internship amid government financial challenges.
Key Takeaways
- 20,000 JSS intern teachers may have their contracts renewed for another year.
- Documents required for renewal include a health insurance cover and a certificate of good conduct.
- The Education Cabinet Secretary has expressed uncertainty over the conversion to permanent terms.
- An additional 16,000 junior school intern teachers are planned to be recruited in 2026.
Recent communications from TSC Curriculum Support Officers (CSOs) to school heads managing junior schools outlined new requirements for the intern teachers ahead of the anticipated contract renewal in November. These requirements include:
- A new health insurance cover
- A new certificate of good conduct
- The latest payslip
- Academic certificates
- A sworn affidavit in case names in certificates differ from the ID
- A next of kin form signed by the Chief
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba voiced his uncertainty regarding the conversion of these teachers to permanent terms when addressing the 20,000 JSS intern teachers during a segment on Citizen TV’s ‘Elimu Mashinani’ on September 23, 2025. Although Treasury CS John Mbadi assured that a budget of Ksh 54 billion had been allocated to facilitate this conversion, Ogamba’s remarks have resulted in panic among the teachers, suggesting that contract renewals could occur instead.
Historically, in 2024, 39,550 junior school teachers had to pressure the government into confirming them to pnp terms after a nationwide strike, highlighting the ongoing challenges in securing permanent employment. The TSC had previously had a total of 46,000 teachers on its payroll serving on internship terms. Among them were 21,550 junior school and 4,000 primary school intern teachers recruited in early 2023.
Some of these interns had renewed their contracts and served for two years without confirmation in sight. However, through organized strikes, many had managed to secure conversion to pnp, starting in January 2025. After completing a six-month probation period, their payslips changed from probationary to pnp. In addition to receiving better salaries, these teachers gained access to comprehensive medical coverage, leave entitlements, and personal loans.
The TSC aims to recruit an additional 16,000 junior school intern teachers in 2026, with current recruitment efforts underway for 24,000 new intern teachers. Document verification for the newly recruited teachers is expected to begin in December, with postings scheduled for January to assist in supporting the Competency Based Education (CBE) system.
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