JSS Teachers Row Takes New Twist as Ruto Ally Claims Funds Have Been Released

Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has challenged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to come out clearly and confirm the dates when they will permanently employ Junior Secondary School (JSS) interns.

The MP who also serves as National Assembly Budget and Appropriation Committee chairperson revealed that the government had allocated Ksh18.7 billion for the exercise so there was no excuse for the confirmation not to be expedited.

Nyoro was attending a form four motivation talk and prayers in Eldorai Constituency, Nandi County where he said the process of employing the 46,000 JSS teachers shouldn’t take longer.

The MP has challenged TSC to desist from shifting target dates and instead provide clear dates so that the interns can start preparing themselves.

Kiharu Mp Ndindi Nyoro speaking during a thanksgiving service in Murang’a County on Sunday, July 2, 2023.

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Ndindi Nyoro

“Provide official communication to the JSS teachers on the date that you are going to confirm them into permanent and pensionable employment,”

“Give that official communication so that the teachers can know, and budget themselves.” the MP said.

The issue of JSS teachers’ employment was among the major issues that formed the base of the teachers’ strike that was recently called off.

Parliamentary Education Committee chairman Julius Melly caused a major shake-up in the teaching fraternity after he revealed that the government was only going to employ 26,000 JSS interns in the first phase of permanent jobs.

 KUPPET however rejected the deal prompting the teachers to go on a 6-day strike that ended on September 2, 2024.

“We want all the 46,000 JSS interns to be confirmed into permanent and pensionable terms, they should be compensated for the period they have worked,” said Charles Ngeno, KUPPET Executive Secretary, Narok Branch. 

According to Julius Melly, most of the JSS interns are depressed due to underpayment arguing Ksh17,000 paid to the teachers is not enough.

Justice Bryrum Ongaya of the Employment and Labour Relations Court on Wednesday, April 17 this year, ruled that TSC violated the JSS interns’ right to fair labor practice as they are qualified and possess teaching licenses.

“Ideally, the first respondent should hire registered teachers on non-discriminatory terms and to satisfy public school staffing needs as best as possible,” the verdict stated.
 

JSS interns participating in demonstrations in Nairobi.

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