Government to Recruit 20,000 Intern Teachers Starting January

Government to Recruit 20,000 Intern Teachers Starting January.

In a bid to address the teacher shortages in junior secondary schools, the government has unveiled plans to recruit 20,000 intern teachers starting in January of the coming year.

This announcement follows President Ruto’s declaration on May 1 during the Labour Day celebrations. The President outlined the government’s strategy, which includes setting aside Kshs 2.4 billion to fund the employment of these new intern teachers.

During his address, President Ruto highlighted that over the past two years, the government had already recruited more than 76,000 teachers.

He emphasized that the additional Ksh 2.4 billion allocated for the recruitment of 20,000 intern teachers is part of the government’s broader effort to address the national shortage of educators. The initiative is aimed at ensuring every child, regardless of their location, has access to quality education.

He also mentioned that the government has earmarked Ksh 1.6 billion for teacher capacity building and Ksh 1 billion for teacher promotions. These measures are meant to support the recruitment effort and improve the overall quality of education.

Ruto emphasized that these investments are more than just financial figures—they will lead to better student-teacher ratios, improved literacy and numeracy, and more stable, dignified jobs for teachers.

The newly recruited intern teachers will be deployed to junior secondary schools that are experiencing staffing shortages. This deployment is seen as a necessary step to alleviate the pressure on schools and ensure that students receive the attention they need for their educational development.

The President’s announcement was well-received by education stakeholders. Collins Oyuu, the Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), expressed support for the government’s decision, calling it a positive move.

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He stated that the plan to recruit 20,000 intern teachers is a step in the right direction. However, Oyuu also urged that these interns be swiftly transitioned into permanent and pensionable positions to ensure job security.

He further criticized the actions of certain politicians allied with the government who had been accused of distributing teacher employment letters during rallies and funerals. Oyuu condemned this practice, warning that such interference with the recruitment process often leads to the sidelining of qualified teachers in favor of new graduates.

Government to Recruit 20,000 Intern Teachers Starting January.

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