The teachers, most of whom serve as interns, say the directive goes against the terms they originally agreed to and have vowed not to accept what they describe as shifting promises.
The standoff intensified on Saturday, November 15, when hundreds of JSS interns took to the streets in Nairobi.
The standoff intensified on Saturday, November 15, when hundreds of JSS interns took to the streets in Nairobi.
They accused both the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the government of altering the conditions of their employment without consultation.
On Thursday, November 13, President Ruto announced that all JSS intern teachers would be moved to permanent and pensionable terms only after completing a two-year internship.
On Thursday, November 13, President Ruto announced that all JSS intern teachers would be moved to permanent and pensionable terms only after completing a two-year internship.
He portrayed the move as part of his administration’s efforts to stabilise the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and improve staffing across schools.
“We decided that the JSS interns would be hired on a permanent and pensionable basis after two years of service; no negotiation,” Ruto declared.
But teachers insist the remarks contradict the agreement they signed last year.
Teachers Say Government Is Changing the Rules
According to several interns who spoke during the protest, their original contracts clearly stated that internship would run for 12 months, from January 6 to December 1, and that renewal was not part of the deal. Many say that by the end of 2024, at least 20,000 teachers should have been confirmed into permanent positions.
“The contract we signed indicated the internship was a one-off programme for 12 months. Nobody talked about two years,” one teacher said during the demonstrations.
Teachers accuse TSC of changing guidelines without transparency and failing to honour earlier promises. The current Ksh17,000 monthly pay, they say, is too little considering their workload, responsibilities, and the cost of living.
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has backed the striking teachers and demanded an immediate review of the confirmation timeline.
“We decided that the JSS interns would be hired on a permanent and pensionable basis after two years of service; no negotiation,” Ruto declared.
But teachers insist the remarks contradict the agreement they signed last year.
Teachers Say Government Is Changing the Rules
According to several interns who spoke during the protest, their original contracts clearly stated that internship would run for 12 months, from January 6 to December 1, and that renewal was not part of the deal. Many say that by the end of 2024, at least 20,000 teachers should have been confirmed into permanent positions.
“The contract we signed indicated the internship was a one-off programme for 12 months. Nobody talked about two years,” one teacher said during the demonstrations.
Teachers accuse TSC of changing guidelines without transparency and failing to honour earlier promises. The current Ksh17,000 monthly pay, they say, is too little considering their workload, responsibilities, and the cost of living.
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has backed the striking teachers and demanded an immediate review of the confirmation timeline.
KUPPET has also criticised the continued placement of JSS teachers under primary schools, saying the arrangement has created confusion in administration, co-curricular activities, and teacher representation.
KUPPET Tharaka Nithi Secretary Patrick Gitonga argued that JSS teachers are being sidelined in key decisions.
“We want JSS teachers to be given autonomy so they can represent themselves. Depending on other jurisdictions is affecting how they execute their mandate,” he said.
Frustration Growing Beyond Nairobi
The growing unrest is no longer limited to Nairobi, Meru, or Tharaka Nithi. Reports indicate that teachers in many other counties feel the same frustration, especially as the new academic year—less than two months away—approaches.
KUPPET Tharaka Nithi Secretary Patrick Gitonga argued that JSS teachers are being sidelined in key decisions.
“We want JSS teachers to be given autonomy so they can represent themselves. Depending on other jurisdictions is affecting how they execute their mandate,” he said.
Frustration Growing Beyond Nairobi
The growing unrest is no longer limited to Nairobi, Meru, or Tharaka Nithi. Reports indicate that teachers in many other counties feel the same frustration, especially as the new academic year—less than two months away—approaches.
Many fear the crisis will disrupt teaching, preparations, and learning schedules if no agreement is reached soon.
This is not the first time JSS teachers have taken a stand. In 2024, a nationwide strike forced Parliament’s Budget and Appropriation Committee to direct TSC to hire all JSS interns permanently in the 2024–2025 financial year.
This is not the first time JSS teachers have taken a stand. In 2024, a nationwide strike forced Parliament’s Budget and Appropriation Committee to direct TSC to hire all JSS interns permanently in the 2024–2025 financial year.
Teachers expected that commitment to be fulfilled by now, but many say the situation only seems to be getting worse.
Education stakeholders warn that the continued uncertainty risks damaging the CBC rollout even further. Many JSS institutions heavily depend on interns for teaching core subjects. If teachers refuse to report to work when schools reopen, learning could come to a standstill.
Parents and school heads are also expressing concern, fearing a repeat of past disruptions that affected student performance and school operations.
So far, the Teachers Service Commission has not issued a fresh statement addressing the contradiction between the original contracts and the President’s directive. This silence has further fuelled anger among teachers who feel ignored.
Union officials are urging the government to urgently sit down with teacher representatives and agree on a clear, binding roadmap before the new term begins.
With tensions rising and no official resolution in sight, Kenya’s education sector faces yet another standoff that could spill over into the next school term.
Education stakeholders warn that the continued uncertainty risks damaging the CBC rollout even further. Many JSS institutions heavily depend on interns for teaching core subjects. If teachers refuse to report to work when schools reopen, learning could come to a standstill.
Parents and school heads are also expressing concern, fearing a repeat of past disruptions that affected student performance and school operations.
So far, the Teachers Service Commission has not issued a fresh statement addressing the contradiction between the original contracts and the President’s directive. This silence has further fuelled anger among teachers who feel ignored.
Union officials are urging the government to urgently sit down with teacher representatives and agree on a clear, binding roadmap before the new term begins.
With tensions rising and no official resolution in sight, Kenya’s education sector faces yet another standoff that could spill over into the next school term.
Teachers insist the government must honour the one-year commitment they signed, while the President maintains the two-year policy is firm.
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Education