TSC intern news updates. Concerning the terms of tutors working under contract, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) and the teachers’ employer have been at odds.
TSC intern news updates
The union has criticized recent comments by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) that teachers now under contract will serve for another year before their terms of service are reconsidered.
TSC informed MPs last week that intern teachers would have to wait another year before the government confirmed their status as permanent and pensionable.
TSC Director Antonina Lentoijoni announced that 46,000 teachers will automatically transition to permanent and pensionable (PNP) employment after two years of service.
Lentoijoni stated that there are two sets of interns, those starting on February 1 and those starting on September 1, and that they will receive contract extension letters in December.
TSC intern news updates
She spoke during a meeting with TSC officials at the National Assembly Education Committee, chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly.
Kuppet emphasized that the TSC must fulfill its initial commitment to make teachers permanent and pensionable upon the end of their first year.
Kuppet Secretary General Akelo Misori criticized the proposal to demoralize teachers on internship contracts in primary and Junior Secondary Schools.
Misori stated that the TSC has not made the necessary steps to hire teachers on a permanent basis from January 2024,
despite their internship contract stating they were only hired for one year.
TSC intern news updates
The secretary argued that teachers have demonstrated their patriotism by providing exceptional services to students despite the challenging work environment.
Misori emphasized the importance of confirming internship teachers as permanent and pensionable is that to:
stabilize institutions during the Competency-Based Curriculum transition.
The union has noted that teachers, despite receiving a modest salary, are subject to taxes and statutory deductions similar to their professional counterparts.
Kuppet Secretary-General reports demoralizing service conditions for teachers, including half-pay, medical insurance, and taxation at the same level as other grade teachers.
Misori highlighted that the situation is even worse for JSS teachers who are assigned to work under primary school heads.
JSS teachers in some schools are forced to purchase teaching aids like textbooks, pens, writing pads, and chalks due to inadequate supply in primary schools.