JSS Teachers Face Employment Delays as Schools Struggle with Finances
As schools resume after midterm, there is heightened anxiety regarding the employment status of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers, financial challenges, and the safety of learners.
The anticipated permanent employment for over 46,000 intern teachers this month may not materialize due to expected budget cuts in the education sector.
Although the government allocated Sh18 billion for the employment of interns starting in July, the plan faces uncertainty, leading to further delays in their permanent employment.
Initially, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) planned to absorb the interns to permanent terms in January 2025, but MPs pushed for earlier confirmation after some teachers protested for better employment terms.
Financial Crunch
Amidst these issues, schools are also grappling with financial problems. The delays in capitation funds from the government have exacerbated the financial crisis in educational institutions.
Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) Chairman, Willie Kuria, noted that many parents sent their children back to school without paying fees, worsening the financial situation.
He mentioned that some parents struggled to even afford bus fare for their children to return after the midterm break. Machakos School Principal, Benson Manoo, echoed these concerns, reporting that while most students have returned, many have not paid their school fees.
He attributed this to the financial strain caused by recent floods and looting during protests.
Safety Concerns
The tension in schools is further heightened by ongoing anti-government demonstrations in various parts of the country.
These protests led to the postponement of school reopening dates from Monday and Tuesday to Wednesday after the midterm break.
Many boarding schools released students early due to heightened activities surrounding protests against the Finance Bill 2024.
Citing safety concerns, schools extended the midterm break beyond the Ministry of Education’s stipulated three-day period.
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Kuria said the uncertainty prompted teachers to send students home early. He mentioned that during a recent meeting in Mombasa, the situation was unsettling for both parents and learners.
National Parents Association Chairman, Silas Obuhatsa, appealed to school administrators to allow parents more time to settle fees arrears.
He emphasized understanding the financial difficulties faced by many parents, especially after recent events that severely impacted livelihoods.
JSS Teachers Face Employment Delays as Schools Struggle with Finances
