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46,000 intern teachers are set to be employed on a permanent and pensionable basis following President William Ruto’s assent to the Supplementary Appropriations Act, 2024.
The Act allocates Ksh 18.6 billion for the employment of these teachers, marking a major milestone in the education sector.
Previously, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) had informed Parliamentary Committees that it required Ksh 8.3 billion to confirm 26,000 teachers to permanent terms by January 2025.
The 46,000 intern teachers, who have been hired on contract, have been protesting across the country since the beginning of the second term, demanding permanent and pensionable employment.
The new allocation comes as part of a broader budgetary commitment, which also includes Ksh 31.3 billion for Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans and scholarships, and Ksh 17 billion allocated to the University Fund Board for student scholarships.
Reacting to this development, Benter Opande, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Women Teachers Organization (KEWOTA), extended her congratulations to President Ruto.
“I congratulate the President for keeping his promise to the intern teachers for permanent and pensionable employment and boosting the teacher numbers by 20,000. This will go a long way in improving the teacher-pupil ratio and enhancing the quality of education,” said Opande.
The employment of these 46,000 teachers is expected to significantly improve the teacher-pupil ratio, thereby enhancing the overall quality of education in Kenyan schools. This move also underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening the education sector by addressing the critical issue of teacher shortages.
As these intern teachers transition to permanent employment, it is anticipated that the stability and morale within the teaching profession will improve, leading to better educational outcomes for students across the country.
