Kuppet backs JSS intern teachers strike as TSC issues statement

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) on Tuesday threw its weight behind the continuing strike of intern teachers and called on the government to set aside funds to hire tutors.

The strike, which poses a threat to the education of over 2.5 million Grade 8 and 9 students in junior secondary schools (JSS), is unfolding against the backdrop of prolonged school closures due to extensive flooding nationwide.

“For the second day running, learning has been paralysed in all JSS classes as the teachers protest,” read part of the letter by Kuppet secretary general Akello Misori.

In three letters addressed to Parliament, the National Treasury and the Teachers Service Commission, Misori sought for their intervention to allow learning and teaching to resume.

“The commission should be enabled to address the teachers’ grievance through negotiation within the law. The process should result in the regularisation of employment terms of 46,000 intern teachers, a majority of whom work in the JSS,” he said.

The union has called on the employer (TSC) for a sit-down meeting seeking an amicable solution to the stand-off.

“Given the enormity of the crisis, we would appreciate meeting your side at the earliest convenience,” the letter reads.

In a separate letter, the union has asked the Treasury to set aside funds for the employment of the interns.

“Given the foregoing, the National Treasury should immediately initiate the process of earmarking resources for the Teachers Service Commission, to employ teachers on permanent and pensionable terms,” the letter reads.

The letter that is dated May 14 is addressed to the Principal Secretary of the National Treasury.

On Monday, Owino Okello, the chairman of intern teachers in  Nairobi, said that they would not yield to threats in their decision to strike. 

He cited a court ruling that nullified the internship status for trained, registered, and licensed teachers. “In light of the ruling by the Labour Relations Court in  Nairobi, and the subsequent nullification of internship for trained, registered and licensed teachers, we will obey the ruling of the court by staying away from schools for internships,” Okello said.

Yesterday TSC pleaded with the teachers to return back to work saying the internship prgramme is geared towards equipping the teachers with practical working experience.

In a statement by TSC Chairperson Jamleck Muturi, the Commission pleaded with the teachers to obey court order and resume work.

“The Commission calls upon the teacher interns engaged under the programme to obey the court order and go back to school as teaching  and learning in all public schools formally resumed on  13 May, 2024,” said Muturi.

Below is the statement released by TSC to the public on state of the intern teachers.

PRESS RELEASE ON THE TEACHER INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME.

The attention of the Teachers Service Commission is drawn to media reports on demonstrations by teacher interns. The Commission wishes to state as follows:

i. The Teacher Internship Programme is a national government initiative aimed at providing practical working experience.

ii. The Forum for Good Governance and Human Rights, petitioned the Court challenging the Teacher Internship Programme.

iii. The Court ruled in favor of the petitioner but subsequently stayed the judgement until 1st August, 2024.

iv. The Commission calls upon the teacher interns engaged under the programme to obey the court order and go back to school as teaching  and learning in all public schools formally resumed on  13 May, 2024.

v. The Commission remains committed and responsive to issues affecting the Teaching Service.

DR. JAMLECK MUTURI JOHN, EBS
COMMISSION CHAIRMAN
TEACHERS SERVICE COMMISSION