Details have emerged that a section of junior school intern teachers who reported for work last week are not operating at per following a move to extend their contract.
TSC had employed a total of 20,000 junior school teachers and posted them to schools early January last year for a one year internship contract.
However before their contract lapsed in December, the Commission had already initiated renewal of contract for another one year.
“The Commission approved the extension of contracts for all serving Junior School Teacher Interns for a further twelve months, with effect from 1st January, 2026 to 31st December, 2026 in line with the Teacher Internship Policy and Guidelines (2019). All interns shall remain in their current stations, subject to their formal confirmation of acceptance,” read a memo by TSC dated 27th November.
The teachers were anticipating for confirmation to permanent and pensionable terms after an earlier assurance by Treasury CS John Mbadi.
Most teachers accepted the offer to extend their contract but half heartedly after a feeble protests on the streets. Majority reported to schools with low morale.
Despite reporting to schools last week a significant number of the intern teachers are on go slow at their station of work which including boycotting some lessons and other key school programmes.
The government differed their absorption into pnp terms to January 1st, 2027.
The extension follows a policy directive from President William Ruto which require intern teachers to serve for at least two years before qualifying for permanent employment.
“President Ruto has directed that because they have been given a one year contract we extend it by another year and provide resources next financial year for confirmation on January 1, 2027,”said Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof Julius Bitok.
President Ruto previously clarified: “After two years, they will be automatically absorbed. The programme meets staffing targets while providing a pathway for unemployed teachers.”
Beyond pay a fierce debate over JSS management continues. JSS teachers want independence while the government advocates for a comprehensive school model, with one principal overseeing both primary and junior sections, assisted by two deputies.
Prof Bitok defended the proposal noting full autonomy is “unfeasible” due to resource demands.
TSC Director of Staffing Ms Antonina Lentoijoni said the structure could be implemented once the National Assembly passes the necessary laws, resolving disputes between JSS teachers and primary school heads.
However resistance persists more than 23,000 primary school heads and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) oppose the plan.
On the other hand Kenya Junior School Teachers Association (KEJUSTA) argues primary heads often lack the qualifications to supervise JSS teachers.
The dispute has moved to court with 39 JSS teachers, represented by KEJUSTA petitioning against Education CS Julius Ogamba, TSC and the Attorney General.
The petition claims placing JSS under primary school heads undermines professional autonomy, is ultra vires, and lacks meaningful public participation.
President Ruto has pledged to provide policy direction: “I will work with TSC, I know it is independent, but we are going to give them a policy direction on what they need to do,” he said.
