KUPPET warns of unrest if intern teachers are forced to reapply for jobs

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has opposed a new government proposal to hire intern teachers on permanent terms competitively.

KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori criticised the directive, stating that the intern teachers, "who have diligently served for two years," already have a binding agreement with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

According to Misori, this contract should guarantee their automatic confirmation to permanent and pensionable terms without further requirements.

"KUPPET rejects Ogamba's directive on these teachers to apply for their jobs afresh," Misori said. The TSC's promise to promote interns to permanent positions had been viewed as a key step in addressing the staffing shortage in junior schools.

The controversy follows remarks made by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who told a parliamentary committee that the hiring of the 46,000 teachers would be conducted competitively, in accordance with constitutional and legal requirements.

"Candidates will be confirmed in their positions from January 1, 2025, based on the approved budgetary allocation timelines," Ogamba informed the National Assembly Committee on Education.

KUPPET Chairman Omboko Milemba warned that the decision could lead to unrest among educators, emphasising intern teachers' crucial role in maintaining the education system.

"The Cabinet Secretary should not provoke both the public and teachers over this issue concerning the employment of intern teachers on permanent terms," Milemba said.

"Teachers recently called off their strike and returned to class."

"Out of touch"

Milemba also criticised Ogamba’s comments, calling them irrational and out of touch with teachers' expectations.

"Does he want teachers to boycott work and go back to the streets? Is the minister aware that interns have been, and still are, the backbone of junior schools? To demoralize and kill their hopes is to undermine the progress made in junior schools," Milemba said.

Milemba further highlighted that both parliamentary resolutions and a presidential directive had clearly outlined the absorption of intern teachers into permanent and pensionable positions.

He mentioned that President William Ruto and the Budget and Appropriations Committee of the National Assembly had assured teachers of the move, which had been a central factor in ending the recent teachers' strike.

The union also warned the government to be prepared for a renewed work boycott if the commitment to the intern tutors is not honoured.

"It should be noted that the minister is not the employer of teachers. His attention is needed on other pressing issues, such as the delayed disbursement and remittance of funds to schools," Milemba added.

"He should focus on those matters instead of meddling in issues under the jurisdiction of the TSC."

Ogamba, in his address to lawmakers, reiterated the government’s commitment to increasing the number of teachers for junior schools.

This is not the first time the Cabinet Secretary has faced criticism for his statements.

Recently, the Universities Academic Staff Union also dismissed Ogamba’s claims that a consensus had been reached on key issues in salary negotiations.