TSC Confirms 46,000 Intern Teachers to Permanent Terms.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has officially transitioned 46,000 teachers from internship terms to permanent and pensionable (pnp) employment.
This marks the largest conversion of its kind in Kenya’s history, benefiting thousands of junior and primary school educators.
The teachers, who were previously working on contractual terms, have now received employment and appointment letters in preparation for their transition, set to take effect in January 2025.
However, this achievement was not without struggle. Junior secondary school teachers had to engage in a nationwide strike to demand their confirmation to permanent terms, signaling the importance of this milestone.
Breakdown of Intern Recruitment
Before the conversion, TSC had a total of 46,000 teachers on its payroll under internship terms.
These included 21,550 junior school and 4,000 primary school teachers recruited in February 2023, 450 secondary school teachers brought in by April 2023, and an additional 18,000 junior school and 2,000 primary school teachers hired in September 2023.
President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government agenda has played a pivotal role in achieving this transformation. Since 2022, the administration has facilitated the employment of 56,000 teachers on permanent terms, demonstrating its commitment to improving the education sector.
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During the supervision of the 2024 KCSE exams, TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia announced that the conversion process was almost finalized.
Dr. Macharia, accompanied by PS Belio Kipsang and other education stakeholders, emphasized that some of the interns had served for two years and were now ready for permanent employment.
Enhanced Benefits for Teachers
Starting January 2025, the confirmed teachers will enjoy numerous benefits, including better salaries, comprehensive medical coverage, entitlement to leave, and access to loans.
Primary school teachers will earn a net salary of Ksh 32,000, while graduate secondary school teachers, including those in junior secondary, will receive Ksh 47,000.
Previously, intern teachers earned Ksh 13,000 and Ksh 17,000 for primary and secondary levels, respectively, after statutory deductions.
In October, TSC advertised 46,000 teaching positions on permanent terms, with 6,000 posts for primary schools, 39,550 for junior schools, and 450 for secondary schools.
Approximately 314,000 teachers, including non-interns, applied for the positions. However, TSC prioritized elevating intern teachers to permanent terms, awarding them 50 marks on the recruitment scoresheet.
The lowest-serving junior secondary intern scored 62 marks, while non-intern applicants scored a maximum of 45 marks.
Internship as a Pathway to Permanency
TSC has consistently stated that teachers must undergo the internship process before being considered for permanent terms.
This approach is evident in the recruitment of 20,000 teachers on internship terms in January to support junior secondary education.
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Additionally, TSC is currently employing 8,707 teachers on permanent terms to replace those who exited service through natural attrition.
The confirmation of these 46,000 teachers to permanent terms represents a significant step forward for Kenya’s education sector, ensuring stability and better working conditions for educators while addressing the growing demand for quality education in the country.
TSC Confirms 46,000 Intern Teachers to Permanent Terms.
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