The fate of more than 20,000 intern teachers hangs in the balance as members of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) in Bungoma plan to take to the streets this Saturday, 27th September 2025. The peaceful demonstration will bring education to a standstill in Bungoma town, with teachers demanding that the government act swiftly on issues affecting Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), intern teachers, and the future of quality learning in Kenya.
Why the Bungoma Demo Matters
In a formal letter dated 25th September 2025, Bungoma KUPPET Secretary Luketelo K. Augustine notified the County Commissioner of the planned demonstration. The union also requested security to ensure safety during the march.
According to KUPPET, the protest will revolve around four critical demands that highlight the state of crisis in the education sector. These are:
- Junior School Autonomy – Teachers want Junior Secondary Schools to be fully independent from primary schools. They argue that autonomy will strengthen management structures, ensure equitable resource allocation, and improve the working environment. This demand ties into the ongoing national debate, with TSC and unions clashing over how JSS should be governed. In an earlier report, KUPPET gave the government an ultimatum to declare JSS independent by 2025.
- Clear Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) for JSS Teachers – Teachers have long complained about career stagnation and lack of clarity in promotions. KUPPET insists that unless clear CPGs are published and enforced, JSS teachers will continue to feel demoralized and undervalued.
- Better Working Conditions – From overcrowded classrooms to poor infrastructure, JSS teachers are grappling with an environment that hinders effective teaching. The union emphasizes that both teachers and learners deserve modern facilities and adequate learning resources.
- Confirmation of 20,000 Intern Teachers – The most urgent call is for the absorption of more than 20,000 intern teachers. These teachers have been serving on short-term contracts, often earning stipends of less than half the salary of their permanently employed counterparts. KUPPET maintains that this is unfair exploitation.
Teachers’ Frustrations Boil Over
The frustrations of intern teachers are not new. Many joined the profession with high hopes after the launch of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), expecting that their service would quickly lead to permanent positions. Instead, they have faced years of uncertainty.
A Bungoma intern teacher told KenyaTeachers.com:
“This is exploitation. We give our best every day, but how do you stay motivated when your future is uncertain?”
Teachers argue that without job security, it is difficult to focus on quality teaching. The uncertainty is also affecting their personal lives, as many cannot plan financially, take loans, or settle down.
Why Bungoma Has Become the Epicenter of Teacher Protests
Bungoma has increasingly become the hotbed of education protests in Kenya. The county’s KUPPET branch has a history of vocal advocacy and is often at the forefront of demanding reforms.
According to KUPPET Bungoma officials, the Saturday demonstration will begin at the Bungoma Airstrip, proceed through the central business district, and end at the TSC County offices. Union leaders expect hundreds of teachers to attend, joined by parents and sympathizers who share the frustrations of teachers.
The protest is seen as part of a larger national struggle. For example, a recent State House meeting with teacher unions failed to produce a clear roadmap for intern absorption, further fueling anger on the ground.
Government’s Deafening Silence
So far, neither the Ministry of Education nor the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has issued an official statement regarding the Bungoma protest. This silence is worrying because it may embolden unions to escalate the matter.
Education analysts warn that if the government ignores the protests, KUPPET and KNUT could mobilize nationwide action, paralysing schools across the country.
Observers also point out that this crisis is part of a bigger picture: TSC has been under immense pressure to implement reforms, including JSS autonomy, teacher promotions, and resource allocation. In fact, the Commission itself recently floated a proposal for JSS teachers to operate independently of primary schools.
The Plight of Intern Teachers
The 20,000 intern teachers remain the backbone of the JSS rollout. They stepped in when the CBC was introduced, filling critical gaps in staffing. Yet despite their sacrifice, they remain stuck in limbo.
The question is whether the government will heed KUPPET’s call to:
- Convert internship contracts into permanent and pensionable terms.
- Provide adequate funding for JSS under the new budget cycle.
- Publish and implement clear CPG structures to ensure career growth.
Failure to address these demands may not only demoralize teachers but also compromise the quality of CBC implementation.
Bigger Implications for Kenya’s Education System
This demonstration is not just about Bungoma. It reflects national discontent among teachers, especially JSS educators who feel neglected. If unresolved, the ripple effect could be:
- Teacher Shortages Worsen: Many intern teachers may quit, leaving schools understaffed.
- Disrupted Learning: Continued protests and teacher dissatisfaction could disrupt learning schedules, especially in JSS.
- Decline in CBC Confidence: Parents and stakeholders may lose trust in CBC if teachers remain demoralized.
- Union Radicalization: Protests in Bungoma could inspire similar actions in counties like Kisii, Kakamega, and Nakuru.
Final Word
As KUPPET Bungoma gears up for Saturday’s protest, the stakes could not be higher. Intern teachers, career stagnation, JSS autonomy, and working conditions are not just union grievances—they are fundamental to the future of education in Kenya.
The government must act decisively, or risk turning localized frustrations into a full-blown nationwide crisis. The message from Bungoma is clear: teachers have had enough of empty promises.
