46,000 JSS teachers demand compensation for time served as interns
The teachers are expressing frustration over being excluded from union activities, which they believe has hindered their ability to have their grievances addressed.
The 46,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers recently converted from intern status to permanent and pensionable employees are now calling for compensation for the time they served as interns.
A group of these teachers, who were officially employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in November, has formed the Kenya Junior School Teachers Association (KEJUSTA) to push for their rights.
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Although they have not yet joined either the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) or the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), they are actively seeking representation from one of the unions to ensure their voices are heard.
The teachers are expressing frustration over being excluded from union activities, which they believe has hindered their ability to have their grievances addressed.
According to Omari Omari, the national chairperson of Kejusta, while the conversion to permanent status was a milestone, several issues remain unresolved.
He highlighted that the obstruction by existing unions from allowing them full participation in union affairs is a major concern.
Unresolved issues
"We celebrate the recruitment, but several issues remain unaddressed. Key among them is the deliberate obstruction, by the existing unions for us to participate fairly in the union activities," Omari said in an interview as highlighted by Daily Nation.
He stressed that the failure of teacher unions to represent JSS teachers equitably is an injustice that cannot be ignored.
At the same time, Omari commended President William Ruto for his significant investment in the education sector.
"He has hired 46,000 teachers, the highest one-off recruitment in the history of the country... this is a major achievement that should be celebrated," he stated.
However, he noted that without union protection, the teachers had to take to the streets to protest their treatment, a struggle that came with intimidation and the loss of two years of service as interns.
On December 10, 2024, during the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) delegate's conference in Mombasa, the JSS teachers made their case once again, demanding positions within the union.
In response, KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu assured them that their demands would be discussed, though he urged patience.
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