A crisis is likely to unfold after Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers openly rejected President William Ruto’s directive to confirm them only after serving for two years.
On Saturday, November 15, the teachers took to the streets, accusing both the government and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of issuing contradictory information regarding their employment terms.
President Ruto had announced on Thursday, November 13, that JSS teachers currently serving as interns would be placed on permanent and pensionable terms after two years as part of broader reforms to strengthen the education system.
“We agreed that JSS interns would be hired on a permanent and pensionable basis after two years of service; no negotiation,” Ruto stated.
However, the teachers argue that this directive contradicts the contracts they signed, which reportedly promised confirmation after 12 months.
The teachers now accuse the commission of shifting its guidelines and failing to follow its own promotion policies, insisting that at least 20,000 teachers should already have been confirmed.
In response to the President’s announcement, JSS teachers maintained they would not accept what they termed broken promises, particularly after enduring difficult working conditions.
The teachers who received backing from KUPPET, demanded immediate promotion to permanent and pensionable status, which would increase their current Ksh17,000 monthly pay.
The teachers also renewed calls for full autonomy, saying their placement under primary schools has caused confusion in co-curricular activities, administration, and overall management within the new education structure.
KUPPET officials warn that delays in confirming JSS teachers continue to weaken the sector.
Tharaka Nithi KUPPET Secretary Patrick Gitonga criticized the lack of adequate representation for JSS teachers.
“We demand for JSS autonomy so that teachers can represent themselves. Relying on other jurisdictions is undermining their ability to execute their mandate,” he said.
With less than seven weeks until the new academic year begins, discontent among JSS teachers is spreading beyond Meru and Tharaka Nithi, with reports indicating similar frustrations among interns in other counties.
One of the most significant disruptions linked to JSS teacher grievances occurred in 2024, when a large-scale strike prompted the Budget and Appropriations Committee to direct TSC to hire all JSS interns, with funding set aside in the 2024–2025 financial year.