CS Reveals Deadline for Employing 20,000 Teachers on Permanent Terms in Kenya

The government has announced plans to employ 20,000 intern teachers on permanent and pensionable terms beginning January 1, 2027.

This follows the allocation of KSh4.92 billion in the 2026/2027 national budget to support the recruitment process.

The announcement comes at a time when Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers have been protesting across the country, demanding permanent employment from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

For months now, teachers have been calling on the government to confirm all 44,000 intern teachers to permanent terms, saying the internship programme is unfair because they do the same work as permanently employed teachers but earn lower pay.

CS Reveals Deadline for Employing 20,000 Teachers on Permanent Terms in Kenya

The protests have affected learning in several public schools, with many parents expressing concern over disruptions in the education sector.

Recently, the Supreme Court allowed TSC to continue with the internship programme after suspending an earlier Court of Appeal decision that had declared the programme unconstitutional. The court said the programme will continue until the case is fully heard and determined.

TSC Acting Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei asked striking teachers to return to work, saying the government currently does not have enough money to employ all intern teachers permanently at once.

According to Mitei, ending the internship programme immediately would negatively affect learners in schools. She added that TSC is still working together with the National Treasury to look for more funds to support permanent employment.

However, intern teachers continued with demonstrations and presented a petition demanding immediate confirmation to permanent and pensionable terms.

The teachers complained that they receive low monthly pay of Ksh17,000 despite handling the same duties as teachers employed on full terms. They also raised concerns that some newly graduated teachers are being hired permanently before interns who have worked for more than one year.

Although the latest budget allocation gives hope to thousands of teachers, only 20,000 interns will benefit, leaving many others still waiting.

In the same budget, the government allocated Ksh406.6 billion to TSC for teachers’ salaries, medical cover, and other related expenses.

Teachers have also raised concerns over the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical scheme. Many claim they are still paying extra money for treatment despite regular deductions from their salaries.

Some teachers also complained about limited hospital options and poor medical coverage under the SHA scheme.

The government says discussions between teachers and the Ministry of Health are ongoing to solve the issues affecting the medical cover.

Other allocations in the education sector include Ksh8.16 billion for the intern teacher programme and Ksh1.2 billion for teacher training and capacity development.