The Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers lobby, led by the spokesperson Omari Omari, held a meeting with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), with the CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia.
According to Omari Omari, several concerns raised by the lobby at a previous meeting were addressed, giving clarity on key issues affecting JSS Intern teachers.
The TSC has promised to ensure that all dismissed intern teachers who have returned to work but have not received their August salary are paid by the end of the month. Teachers who have not returned to work are encouraged to do so to claim their salaries.
The lobby highlighted the mental health problems of intern teachers, including depression caused by financial stress, which tragically led to many deaths.
The TSC has urged affected teachers to seek help from social services, who can advise help and even transfers if necessary. Teachers are also encouraged to report any violation of their rights.
The JSS lobby reiterated its position that internships for qualified and licensed teachers are illegal.
He urged the government and the TSC to find alternative solutions to address the shortage of teachers in the country. The current system of practice constitutes, according to them, exploitation.
CEO of TSC Dr. Macharia announced that all interns in service, from the first or second batch, replacements or those dismissed, will be absorbed into permanent and pensionable (PnP) positions.
The Government has not yet released funding for the financial year, but the Treasury has given TSC the green light to start the process of recruiting 46,000 trainee teachers. Trainees are encouraged to prepare their documents, as the recruitment procedure will follow the law.
The lobby confirmed that once the interns are absorbed in permanent positions, they seek compensation for the period served in the internship. They plan to pursue this action in court or by organizing protests, insisting that the government should pay for the two years of practice. The JSS lobby remains determined in its fight for the rights of intern teachers.
