The announcement aims to solve long-standing concerns among teachers and to strengthen the education system in Kenya.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday evening, Ruto told the media, “We decided that the JSS interns would be hired on permanent and pensionable basis after two years of service; no negotiation.”
He added, “Once two years are over, there will be no back and forth. They will move straight into permanent employment with full pension benefits.”
The President’s statement comes at a time when over 20,000 JSS teachers are working under temporary contracts, many of which are close to expiring.
These teachers have long called for permanent employment. They argue that they should have been hired permanently after one year, but the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) had not confirmed their status, leaving them uncertain about their future.
This is not the first time the government has promised permanent jobs for JSS teachers. In 2024, Ruto announced that all JSS teachers would be offered permanent and pensionable employment by the end of the year.
However, the plan was not fully implemented, leaving many teachers frustrated and anxious.
The issue of teacher employment is closely linked to the new Competence-Based Education (CBE) system. Many JSS teachers have expressed concern about being placed under primary schools.
They argue that this setup creates confusion in administrative roles, co-curricular activities, and overall management.
Teachers have asked for JSS to have its own administration, separate from both primary and senior secondary schools, to allow them to focus on the specific needs of JSS learners.
In June 2024, these frustrations led to a strike by JSS teachers. The Budget and Appropriation Committee responded by instructing the TSC to hire all JSS interns on permanent and pensionable terms.
Ndindi Nyoro, who was then the chairperson of the committee, said that the government had already allocated enough funds in the 2024/2025 financial year to cover the permanent employment of these teachers.
Despite this assurance, delays in implementation have caused unrest among teachers. Many felt that their contributions were not being recognized and that the government was not serious about fulfilling its promises.
The protests and strikes were aimed at pushing the authorities to act quickly and ensure job security for all JSS teachers.
On September 13, 2025, over 10,000 teachers attended a meeting at State House, Nairobi, where President Ruto addressed their concerns directly.
He reassured them that the government is committed to permanent hiring after two years of service.
This decision is expected to boost teacher morale and reduce disruptions in the academic calendar caused by strikes and uncertainty.
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Education