Nairobi, Kenya — November 15, 2025
A fresh crisis is developing in the education sector after Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers openly rejected President William Ruto’s directive that interns be confirmed to permanent and pensionable terms only after two years of service.
On Saturday, November 15, hundreds of JSS teachers took to the streets in protest, accusing both the government and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of “shifting goalposts” regarding their employment terms. The teachers claim the new directive contradicts their original internship agreements.
Ruto’s Announcement Sparks Outrage
Speaking on Thursday, November 13, President Ruto announced that all JSS intern teachers would receive permanent contracts after serving for two full years.
“We decided that the JSS interns would be hired on permanent and pensionable terms after two years of service; no negotiation,” the President said.
However, JSS interns insist this directive directly contradicts their initial contracts.
Teachers Cite Contract Contradictions
According to the protesting teachers, the internship agreements they signed last year clearly stated that the program was a one-off, non-renewable 12-month engagement.
“The contract that we signed last year November indicated internship would be a one-off, non-renewable program for 12 months from January 6 to December 1,” one intern told reporters on Saturday.
Teachers argue that the two-year timeline is both unfair and unlawful, as the TSC is allegedly violating its own internship and promotion guidelines. They say at least 20,000 JSS teachers should have already been confirmed by now.
Claims of Broken Promises and Harsh Conditions
JSS teachers maintain that they will not accept what they describe as “broken promises” after working under challenging conditions for a full year. Many say they have been overworked, underpaid, and left without clear administrative support in schools.
Currently, JSS interns earn Ksh17,000, an amount they say does not reflect the workload, responsibilities, or cost of living.
“Some of us teach up to 14 learning areas in a week. That is not what an intern should be going through,” a teacher said.
KUPPET Joins the Push for Confirmation
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has backed the protesting teachers and now demands immediate confirmation to permanent and pensionable terms.
KUPPET Tharaka Nithi Secretary Patrick Gitonga criticised the delays, saying they have worsened the state of the education sector under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) structure.
“These teachers are the backbone of the JSS rollout, yet they remain the least supported and the least represented,” Gitonga said during the Saturday demonstrations.
Renewed Calls for JSS Autonomy
Beyond the employment terms, JSS teachers are also pushing for full autonomy. They argue that being placed under primary school administrations has created confusion in school management, co-curricular activities, and curriculum delivery.
Teachers say the ongoing uncertainty has affected the smooth implementation of the new system and worsened tensions between JSS and primary school administrators.
Sector Faces Growing Uncertainty
Education stakeholders fear that continued delays in confirming JSS teachers may destabilize the already fragile transition from CBC to CBE. The unrest comes amid numerous complaints from teachers about unclear roles, lack of resources, and inconsistent communication from authorities.
According to a recent TSC-related update published on KenyanTeachers.com, the commission has faced similar pressure from teachers in previous recruitment cycles.
For now, JSS teachers say the protests will continue until TSC honours the original internship terms and offers them permanent contracts immediately.
The Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission have not yet issued an official response to the latest protests.
