The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has confirmed a delay in payment to thousands of junior secondary school (JSS) intern teachers. The issue affects most of the 24,000 interns employed in January and posted to schools. TSC officials say they are aware and expect to include February and January arrears in the March payroll. This article explains the cause, what affected teachers should expect, and useful resources for JSS interns while they wait.
Key Takeaways
- Number affected: About 24,000 junior school intern teachers were posted in January.
- Stipend amount: Interns earn sh 20,000 monthly before deductions and receive roughly sh 18,000 after statutory deductions.
- Payment issue: Only teachers in eight counties received February pay; most did not get salaries or arrears for January.
- Expected resolution: TSC says all unpaid salaries and arrears will be processed in the March payroll.
TSC intern teachers pay: What happened
Intern teachers reported to schools in January and had their entry and exit reports submitted by Heads of Institutions. Despite this, only a small portion received February pay. The majority of interns across counties did not get paid, and those who did receive pay reported missing arrears for days worked in January.
Why payments were delayed
TSC officials have not given a full public explanation, but a source in the payroll department said the government is facing a short-term liquidity challenge. Payroll processing closes on the 15th of each month, and delays in central funding have affected several categories of employees, including promoted teachers and pensioners.
What affected teachers should expect
- Payment processing: TSC has assured interns that unpaid salaries for January and February will be included in the March payroll run.
- Stipend deductions: Interns should expect statutory PAYE, NHIF/NSSF and other standard deductions to be applied before net pay is sent.
- Confirmation and conversion: Interns were hired on one-year terms (1 January to 31 December, 2026) and are likely to be considered for permanent and pensionable posts after serving the required period.
How delays affect schools and interns
Delayed pay destabilizes young teachers who rely on stipends for living costs. It may also affect classroom performance if teachers face financial stress. Schools that host junior secondary teachers in primary school settings have run induction and retooling programmes, but delayed pay can hinder morale and retention.
Support and practical steps for interns
If you are an intern teacher affected by this delay, consider the following actions:
- Keep documentation: Retain proof of reporting to school and HOI reports submitted to TSC.
- Contact county offices: Reach out to TSC County or Sub-County Directors for status updates and written confirmation of timelines.
- Plan finances: Prepare a short-term budget while awaiting the March payroll.
- Use professional resources: While waiting, strengthen your classroom planning and assessment skills using available curriculum and exam materials.
Resources for classroom planning and CBE retooling
Many interns will be retooled on Competency Based Education (CBE) and Competency Based Assessment (CBA). Use the following free resources to prepare lessons, assessments, and schemes of work:
- Practice CBC exams and past papers to design assessment tasks aligned to CBA.
- JSS curriculum designs for subject scope, learning outcomes, and progression guidance.
- JSS teaching notes with teaching strategies and lesson ideas for junior secondary subjects.
Longer-term context and next steps
The Commission is seeking budgetary allocations for confirming intern teachers on permanent and pensionable terms in future budgets. Meanwhile, the government has announced plans to recruit additional junior school interns later in the year. Interns who accept placements gain benefits such as priority in replacement interviews and bonus marks during selection.
Frequently asked questions
- Will I get paid for days worked in January? TSC has promised that January arrears will be included in the March payroll.
- Who can I contact about my pay? Start with your Head of Institution, then the TSC County Director or Sub-County Director for confirmation.
- How much is the stipend? The gross stipend is sh 20,000 per month before deductions.
Keep copies of your submission receipts and remain in contact with TSC county offices. Use the free curriculum and exam resources linked above to continue developing professionally while the payroll issue is resolved.
