The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has issued a stern warning to intern teachers who have not reported to work since the second term began, threatening them with dismissal. This announcement marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the TSC and intern teachers, who have been emboldened by the backing of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) and other education stakeholders.
Cavin Anyuor, the TSC’s Director of Legal Affairs, disclosed the commission’s plans while addressing the National Assembly Education Committee. According to Anyuor, the TSC will gather attendance reports from all schools by Friday, May 17, which will serve as the basis for disciplinary actions against those who have absconded from their duties. The reports will be collected by school heads and subsequently submitted to the TSC head office.
The dispute has been intensifying since the reopening of schools for the second term, with intern teachers resolutely refusing to return to their posts despite directives from the TSC. The teachers, galvanized by support from Kuppet, have outlined plans to escalate their demonstrations in the coming weeks. This collective action stems from dissatisfaction with the terms of the internship program, which has been criticized for offering unequal pay for equal work compared to their permanently employed counterparts.
Daniel Murithi, Secretary-General of the Kenya Junior Secondary Teachers Association, has been vocal about the teachers’ grievances. He highlighted that the TSC’s request for the intern teachers to resume work indicates widespread non-compliance with the directive. “The fact that TSC has responded requesting you to go back to school means reports have reached them that the majority are not going back to school. The fact that they are requesting you to go back tells you that they can’t replace 46,000 teachers even if they want,” Murithi remarked on Wednesday.
This standoff follows a significant legal development in April when a labour court ruling declared the internship program illegal due to the disparity in pay. However, a stay order allowed the TSC to continue employing interns until August 1, providing a temporary reprieve for the commission. The TSC has indicated that it will only engage in negotiations with the intern teachers if it loses its appeal against the ruling that deemed the program illegal.
Anyuor conveyed that, should the TSC’s appeal fail, the commission is prepared to negotiate with the intern teachers to reach an agreement that would facilitate their conversion to permanent and pensionable positions starting January 2025. “If the appeal fails and the court upholds the ruling, we will negotiate with these teachers to come to an understanding so that their conversion to permanent and pensionable can start in January 2025,” Anyuor explained.
The financial implications of absorbing the intern teachers into permanent positions are substantial. The TSC estimates that it would require approximately Sh30 billion to employ all the interns. However, the commission plans to initially employ 26,000 interns who have successfully served for two years in the post, necessitating Sh8.3 billion for this phase. Anyuor emphasized the commission’s commitment to resolving the issue within the constraints of their budgetary provisions.
The plight of the intern teachers has garnered support from some legislators, who argue for enhanced contracts and absorption into permanent roles by July. These lawmakers contend that the current conditions under which the interns are working are untenable and call for immediate reforms to address the disparities.
The ongoing dispute between the TSC and intern teachers highlights broader issues within the education sector regarding fair compensation and employment stability. The intern teachers’ refusal to return to work and their plans to intensify demonstrations reflect deep-seated frustrations with the current system. The support from Kuppet and certain legislators underscores the growing recognition of these issues at multiple levels of governance and advocacy.
As the TSC prepares to receive attendance reports and consider disciplinary measures, the coming days will be crucial in determining the future of the intern teachers and the broader implications for the education sector in Kenya. The resolution of this conflict will require careful negotiation and a willingness from both sides to address the underlying issues of fair compensation and employment conditions.
