JSS Intern Teachers Demonstrate in Nandi, Demands Permanent employment
Intern teachers in Nandi County have urged President William Ruto to fulfill the promise of uplifting their economic status by increasing their salaries. The teachers, who demonstrated in Nandi town, expressed dissatisfaction with their earnings, stating it is inadequate to meet their needs.
They called on the President to address their concerns and transition them to permanent and pensionable employment. Emphasizing their role in supporting President Ruto during his presidential bid, they pleaded for confirmation as permanent teachers.
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The government had recruited 21,550 intern teachers in February 2023 on non-remunerative 11-month contracts, with a monthly stipend of Sh20,000.
The Employment and Labour Relations Court issued interim orders, binding the interns to their previous contracts until further directions on March 7, 2024.
Despite Ruto’s assurance of permanent and pensionable employment after two years of service, the Nandi intern teachers argued that the stipend, reduced to Sh17,000 after deductions, is insufficient for their needs.
JSS Interim Secretary General Daniel Murithi issued a strike notice on January 2, stating that the intern teachers would not report to work from January 8 until their demand for permanent and pensionable terms is met.
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The Forum for Good Governance and Human Rights challenged the deployment of trained teachers as interns, alleging a violation of the Constitution and a failure to uphold the required learning standards. Murithi asserted that intern teachers would resist attempts to renew their one-off contracts.
The first batch of Junior Secondary School students under the Competency-Based Curriculum will resume alongside Form 1 students this year.
JSS Intern Teachers Demonstrate in Nandi, Demands Permanent employment
