Govt to Confirm 46,000 JSS Teachers as Treasury Orders Budget Cuts in 14 Key Areas
Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung’u has mandated ministries and parastatals to reduce their budgets in 24 key areas, following the austerity measures President William Ruto announced on Friday.
This follows Ruto’s announcement that the government would look for ways to raise money for the employment of intern teachers, even though they might have to wait longer for better pay and permanent job terms.
Originally, the Ruto administration had allocated Sh18.3 billion to hire intern teachers. The rejection of the Finance Bill created a Sh346 billion budget gap, but the government plans to borrow Sh169 billion instead of the entire amount.
Complete Budget Cuts
Out of the 24 areas affected, 14 will have their budgets entirely eliminated for the 2024/2025 financial year. These include:
- Membership fees, dues, and subscriptions to professional and trade bodies
- Examination and invigilation fees
- Confidential expenditures
- Monitoring and evaluation expenses
- Other operating expenses
- Refurbishment of buildings
- Purchase of vehicles and other transport equipment
- Purchase of office furniture and general equipment
- Purchase of household furniture and institutional equipment
- Purchase of generators
- Rehabilitation and renovation
- Research, feasibility studies, project preparation and design
- Housing loans to public servants
- Car loans for public servants
Circular Announcement
CS Ndung’u stated in a circular released on Friday that the budget rationalisation affects all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), the Judiciary, Parliament, Constitutional Commissions, and Independent Offices. He explained that the revision follows Article 223 of the Constitution and Section 44 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), CAP 412A.
Additional Budget Reductions
Further reductions include:
- Communication, supplies, and services (20%)
- Domestic travel and subsistence, and other transportation costs (50%)
- Foreign travel and subsistence, and other transportation costs (20%)
- Training expenses (20%)
- Hospitality supplies and services (50%)
- Contracted professional services (20%)
- Contracted technical services (20%)
- Temporary committee expenses (20%)
- Maintenance of buildings and stations (non-residential) (50%)
- Maintenance of buildings and stations (residential) (50%)
Implementation and Compliance
CS Ndung’u directed accounting officers to submit the revised estimates to the National Treasury by Monday, July 8. He emphasized the need for prompt submission of the FY 2024/25 Supplementary Estimates No.1 to Parliament for approval.
He also instructed officers working on the budget to extend their working hours, including weekends, to meet the deadlines.
Accounting officers were reminded to strictly follow the guidelines and ensure all relevant officers, including CEOs of Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies and Autonomous Government Agencies, are informed.
Permanent Jobs for Intern Teachers on Track
President William Ruto confirmed that the conversion of 46,000 junior secondary school intern teachers to permanent positions is progressing as planned.
Despite the Finance Bill 2024’s failure, which was intended to address the 2024/2025 budget deficit, the government will explore alternative funding methods to fulfill this commitment.
From State House, Ruto stated that the government would adjust its budget to accommodate the teachers. Following the Finance Bill’s rejection, extensive consultations were held to balance borrowing and implementing austerity measures.
The proposed budget cuts stem from public opposition to the Finance Bill, which aimed to address the 2024/2025 budget shortfall.
Ruto detailed the plan to propose budget cuts of Sh177 billion and borrow the remaining amount.
This borrowing would increase the budget deficit from 3.3% to 4.6% of GDP, still lower than the previous year.
Following a Parliamentary Group Meeting on June 18, National Assembly Finance Committee Chair Kimani Kuria confirmed that enough funds had been allocated for the 46,000 interns’ permanent employment.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Plans
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) will also hire 20,000 interns next month to address the teacher shortage as the pioneer class moves to Grade 9 in January 2025.
Despite these efforts, the Sh18 billion allocated might be insufficient, as TSC needs Sh30 billion to hire all 46,000 interns by July 1, 2024. Consequently, some intern teachers may be employed first, with others waiting for additional funds.
ALSO READ: KUPPET Warns Govt Against Budget Cuts for Teacher Employment
The internship program, initiated in 2019, pays secondary school interns Sh20,000 and primary school interns Sh15,000.
The JSS interns have protested these amounts as inadequate for their sustenance. In February 2023, TSC hired 21,550 junior school and 4,000 primary school intern instructors.
Subsequent hires included 450 secondary school intern instructors in April 2023 and 18,000 junior school and 2,000 primary school intern instructors in September 2023.
Govt to Confirm 46,000 JSS Teachers as Treasury Orders Budget Cuts in 14 Key Areas
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