Teachers Rejects Government Offer , Threaten To Demonstrate Come January.
The brewing conflict between 21, 500 Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers and the government poses a significant threat to the educational system, potentially leading to a crisis. Originally employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to address teacher shortages, these interns are now demanding permanent and pensionable positions in accordance with what they claim was an agreement with the government.
Despite President William Ruto’ s assurance of permanent employment after two years, the interns remain dissatisfied, as they consider themselves qualified and registered with the TSC, and therefore believe they do not require internship stipends but proper salaries.
A court order currently prevents the termination of their contracts until the case is heard and resolved, which has emboldened the interns in their stance against resuming their duties. Led by the JSS National Interim Leadership, the teachers are emphasizing the need for adherence to the original agreement and advocating for immediate permanent employment. They reject any attempts to coerce them into new contracts, viewing such actions as a violation of the initial agreements.
If their demand for permanent employment is not met, the teachers have announced their intention to go on strike in January 2024. This could potentially disrupt the education of JSS students. Complicating matters further, the clauses within the internship contracts prevent renewal or extension beyond January, creating a time- sensitive impasse.