InternTeachers Receive ‘Thank You’Certificates EndingTSC Contract
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has recently extended the contracts of intern teachers by four months, following the expiration of their previous contracts on 31st August 2024. Intern teachers were required to fill out forms to extend their contracts, and this extension aims to provide temporary relief for both the teachers and the education sector.
In the past, intern teachers were automatically converted to permanent and pensionable (PNP) status at the conclusion of their internship. However, TSC officials have hinted that this practice might change. Instead of automatic conversion, teachers will now be issued internship certificates, which will become an important credential when they apply for permanent positions.
The Commission plans to advertise vacancies, and both intern and regular teachers will need to apply and attend recruitment interviews. Despite the competitive nature of the process, intern teachers will have an advantage. Their internship certificates will earn them extra marks during the recruitment process, giving them an edge over other applicants.
Last month, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that Ksh 18.7 billion had been allocated for the confirmation of 46,000 intern teachers. The funding for this initiative was accompanied by Ksh 13.5 billion earmarked for implementing the second phase of the Teachers Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which includes salary increments. Ogamba emphasized the government’s commitment to improving education standards and ensuring fair compensation for teachers.
Despite the announcement, TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia indicated that the confirmation of intern teachers would be delayed until January 2025 due to insufficient funds. While the Ksh 18.7 billion allocated for confirming intern teachers is significant, it falls short of the Ksh 30 billion that TSC estimates is necessary to cover the cost of converting all interns to permanent status through July 2025. As a result, the Commission postponed the confirmation process, which was initially scheduled for July 2024.
TSC’s current payroll includes 46,000 intern teachers. Of these, 21,550 are junior school teachers, and 4,000 are primary school teachers, both recruited in February 2023. Additionally, 450 secondary school teachers were recruited as interns in April 2023, followed by 18,000 junior school and 2,000 primary school teachers recruited in September 2023.
Looking ahead, TSC is set to recruit 20,000 intern teachers in October 2024. This recruitment drive will allocate 18,000 positions to junior secondary schools and 2,000 positions to primary schools, reflecting the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the teaching workforce amid a transition to Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and other educational reforms.
