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Fate of intern teachers in limbo as TSC offers protesting interns little hope
Teachers Service Commission CEO Evaleen Mitei speaks to the media at the Ministry of Health offices in Nairobi on March 10, 2026.
Learning in junior schools remains disrupted after the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) failed to commit to offering teachers on contract jobs on a permanent basis as directed by the Court of Appeal.
Instead, the teachers’ employer on Tuesday appealed for patience from the 44,000 teachers currently serving in public schools, saying it was still “actively pursuing the necessary budgetary provisions” to absorb them on permanent and pensionable terms following a court ruling delivered on February 27 2026.
“Following the Court’s judgment delivered on February 27, 2026, the Commission is actively pursuing the necessary budgetary provisions to facilitate the employment of the 44,000 serving teacher interns on permanent and pensionable terms. This initiative is intended to safeguard the welfare of the teacher interns while ensuring effective curriculum implementation in our schools,” said the acting CEO, Evaleen Mitei.
“In this regard, the Commission appeals to teacher interns to grant the Government adequate time to mobilize the required resources to support their transition to permanent and pensionable employment,” it added.
In a memorandum submitted to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), intern teachers across the country have petitioned the commission to immediately confirm 44,000 intern teachers to permanent and pensionable terms, citing a recent court ruling that declared the prolonged internship programme illegal and exploitative.
The teachers said the programme, which was initially introduced as a temporary measure, has instead become a barrier within the profession, delaying career growth and reducing trained educators to cheap labour.
“A nation that values education must first value its teachers. The quality of education can never rise above the treatment of the teacher,” the petition reads in part.
They also noted that despite the Ministry of Education placing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at the centre of the Competency-Based Education system, thousands of trained STEM teachers remain under internship terms for years.
According to the intern teachers, the statement stopped short of offering the one thing they have been demanding most — a clear timeline on when they will be hired. Instead, the Commission asked the protesting teachers to “grant the Government adequate time” to mobilise resources to support their transition, without stating how much money is needed, whether the funds have been secured or when appointment letters will be issued.
We cannot work on promises again. The only language we understand is action. If they say they are advertising for the same positions, that means they are confirming. We have seen scenarios where they talk about implementing programmes, but they don’t implement them
“We are no longer willing to rely on promises. For us, the only message that would be understood is action—specifically, if they advertise the positions again, we will take that as confirmation that they are serious about formalising them. We have been given assurances many times in the past, including promises of promotions from senior officials, but these have often not been followed through on in practice. The same has happened with various programmes that are announced but never implemented, said Rodgers Odhiambo, Chairperson of the Kenya Junior School Teachers Association(KEJUSTA).
National Parents Association (NPA) called on teachers to reconsider their ongoing strike, warning that the prolonged standoff is hurting innocent learners and their parents more than the government.
While acknowledging that the teachers have legitimate grievances, the association said the industrial action should not be sustained at the expense of children’s education.
“Though junior school teachers have valid points, they should understand that it is not the government losing but innocent children and their parents. We are pleading with the teachers to allow their union leadership to represent them before TSC. The union leadership has the right to demand a meeting with TSC. We NPA are ready and will to attend the meeting if called to protect the interests of our children,” said NPA Chairman Silas Obuhatsa.
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