TSC to Sack JSS Intern Teachers, Orders Database Collection
TSC has issued a warning to intern teachers who have not reported to work since schools reopened for the second term, threatening to sack them.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) stated that it would receive attendance reports from all schools by Friday to determine disciplinary actions based on attendance records collected by school heads.
This was disclosed by TSC Legal Affairs director Cavin Anyuor during a session with the National Assembly Education Committee, where he highlighted that the reports were due on Friday, May 17.
The standoff between TSC and intern teachers persists following a court ruling in April that declared the internship program illegal due to unequal pay for equal work.
Despite a stay order allowing TSC to continue employing interns until August 1, tensions remain high.
Daniel Murithi, secretary-general of the Kenya Junior Secondary Teachers Association, emphasized that the directive from TSC to resume work would not affect their determination, stating, “The fact that TSC has responded requesting them to go back to school means reports have reached them that the majority are not going back to school.”
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Addressing the financial implications, TSC cited a budget shortfall of Sh30 billion necessary to permanently employ all intern teachers.
The commission proposed a phased approach, intending to absorb 26,000 interns starting January 2025, requiring Sh8.3 billion for the initial cohort alone.
The situation was further complicated when a faction of nearly 60,000 intern teachers boycotted teaching at the start of the second term, demanding improved pay and conversion of their intern contracts to permanent and pensionable status.
Database Collection
Anyuor reiterated the commission’s stance on the matter, stating, The commission is aware that there are some interns who are picketing.
“The commission has since directed that data be collected by Friday this week, we will know who is in class and who is not and then the provision of the teacher’s code of conduct will be applied.”
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In response to queries from Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo regarding the fate of the internship program and JSS teachers if the courts uphold the illegality ruling, TSC expressed readiness to negotiate should they lose the court case.
Despite these challenges, some legislators voiced support for intern teachers, advocating for their absorption on enhanced contracts in July.
TSC to Sack JSS Intern Teachers, Orders Database Collection
