JSS Intern Teachers Suspend Strike Until July, Gives TSC Time to Act
Thousands of Junior Secondary School teachers, who have been striking since April 17, 2024, have decided to suspend their industrial action until July 5, 2024. The intern teachers made this decision to facilitate the National Assembly’s budget approval process.
The 46,000 teachers have requested the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to employ them on Permanent and Pensionable terms, as they were initially hired as interns in 2019.
The teachers, through their national spokesman Mr. Omari Omari, urged TSC to issue a circular confirming their status to Permanent and Pensionable terms immediately after the budget’s passage.
The JSS teachers, in a statement, urged their colleagues to resume classes by June 10, 2024, while emphasizing that the strike is only suspended, not called off. They expect a response regarding their confirmation by July 5, 2024.
Mr. Omari explained that the decision followed a series of meetings with the National Assembly select committee on labour and its Education counterpart, where they presented their demands, primarily the confirmation of all 46,000 interns.
The committees fully agreed with their demands, presented them to the budget committee, and have now tabled them in parliament, awaiting approval. The committees requested the teachers to suspend their demonstrations to allow the budget process to proceed.
Time for TSC to Act
The committee also asked the striking intern teachers to give TSC time to receive the funds and prepare for their immediate recruitment.
Mr. Omari noted that out of respect for the committees’ handling of their issues and their concern for the children of poor Kenyan parents, they decided to suspend their demonstrations.
However, he reminded parliamentarians that a court ruling still stands declaring internships illegal.
After consulting their legal team, Mr. Omari stated that they would return to teaching not as interns but as volunteers, showing their commitment to the education of the children despite the ongoing issues.
He added that if by July 5, 2024, TSC has not communicated about their confirmation, they would resume their strike.
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Mr. Omari emphasized the nobility of the teaching profession and the sacrifices teachers make for the nation’s future, but he insisted that TSC and the government must not exploit their dedication.
He condemned the use of qualified teachers as interns for years, equating it to slavery, and stressed that strikes are detrimental to both students and teachers.
Last month, the National Assembly Committee on Education urged TSC to convert 26,000 interns to permanent employment starting July 2024.
JSS Intern Teachers Suspend Strike Until July, Gives TSC Time to Act
