A fresh crisis is looming in the education sector after Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers rejected President William Ruto’s plan to confirm them to permanent and pensionable terms after two years.
The teachers, who held demonstrations on Saturday, November 15, accused both the government and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of shifting positions on their employment terms.
President Ruto had announced on Thursday, November 13, that all JSS interns would secure permanent contracts upon completing two years of service, saying the decision was final and non-negotiable.
But the teachers insist the directive contradicts the internship agreements they signed last year. According to them, the contracts clearly stated a one-year, non-renewable internship running from January 6 to December 1, with expectations of confirmation upon completion.
They now accuse TSC of altering its promotion guidelines and failing to confirm more than 20,000 teachers who, they say, have already met the required timeline. Many interns argue they have worked under difficult conditions while earning only Ksh17,000 per month.
Supported by KUPPET leaders, the teachers demanded immediate promotion to permanent and pensionable terms, saying the government’s shifting promises have left them frustrated and demoralized.
The educators also renewed calls for full autonomy for JSS, arguing that being placed under primary school leadership has led to confusion in administrative roles and co-curricular management.
KUPPET Tharaka Nithi Secretary Patrick Gitonga said the delays have worsened the situation for JSS teachers, who continue to suffer under-representation in key decision-making.
With less than seven weeks before the new academic year begins, unrest among JSS interns is spreading beyond Meru and Tharaka Nithi. Teachers in other counties are also raising similar concerns, warning that continued delays may destabilize learning.
This is not the first time unresolved JSS issues have threatened school operations. In 2024, a major strike forced the Budget and Appropriations Committee to direct TSC to hire all JSS interns using funds allocated in the 2024/2025 financial year a directive teachers now say remains unfulfilled.
 teachers rejected President William Ruto’s plan to confirm them to permanent and pensionable terms after two years.){kind=link}