Intern teachers’ hopes crushed as TSC extends contracts

By Newsflash Writer

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has renewed the contracts of 20,000 Junior School (JS) intern teachers for another 12 months, dashing expectations of immediate confirmation to permanent and pensionable terms.

The move—executed in line with President William Ruto’s directive—has sparked anger among interns, with a nationwide class boycott looming when schools reopen in January.

TSC Acting Chief Executive Officer Eveleen Mitei announced that all junior school intern teachers will have their contracts extended from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026. She said the decision is consistent with the Teacher Internship Policy and Guidelines (2019) and is meant to ensure continuity and prevent disruptions in learning as the current contracts lapse.

President Ruto recently reiterated that intern teachers must serve for at least two years before qualifying for permanent terms—a policy he defended as a gradual and realistic way to address the country’s backlog of more than 300,000 jobless trained teachers.

“I want to assure every intern that after two years, they will be automatically absorbed, that is the plan,” he said, adding that the internship programme helps the government meet staffing needs while offering a structured pathway for unemployed educators.

TSC now requires all intern teachers to formally accept the contract renewal.

Blow to interns as TSC extends contracts

“The Commission approved the extension of contracts for all serving junior school teacher interns for a further 12 months, effective 1st January 2026 to 31st December 2026 … All interns shall remain in their current stations, subject to their formal confirmation of acceptance,” Ms Mitei stated. TSC county directors have been ordered to ensure each intern either accepts or declines the offer.

“Interns accepting the offer must sign the acceptance section of the contract and provide a valid Personal Accident Cover for the new engagement period,” the acting CEO said. To avoid disruption, TSC has directed county officials to issue the extension letters immediately—by no later than December 20—and to submit acceptance and decline reports by January 23, 2026.

County directors have also been instructed to propose replacements for any interns who decline the offer, using existing merit lists. These proposals must include offer letters and county summaries of acceptances and declines for approval by TSC.

Kenya Junior School Teachers Association Chairperson James Odhiambo criticised the move as a “profound blow” to teachers who have driven the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum. “We thought after going to the streets the government would have had mercy on us. Our Christmas gift was supposed to be permanent and pensionable letters,” he said, noting that the teachers have worked diligently under low pay for a year.

The interns earn a stipend of about Sh20,000 before deductions. Mr Odhiambo said the government’s decision shows a lack of regard for the profession and warned of the emotional toll on teachers, many of whom he said were “shocked, depressed, demotivated and dejected”. The association has rejected the extension, insisting internships should last only one year, and demanding that TSC revoke the extension letters and issue permanent appointment letters.

The standoff now threatens learning in junior schools when classes resume in January. “I don’t know if they will go back to class,” Mr Odhiambo warned, signalling that teachers are ready to boycott duty unless the government grants them permanent employment.