The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has officially confirmed the employment of 46,000 teachers who have successfully completed their probationary period. These educators, who transitioned from internships to permanent and pensionable (pnp) positions in January, have now fulfilled the six-month probation requirement as stipulated by TSC guidelines.
Their journey began in January when they were promoted from internships to pnp roles, a transition that was not without its challenges. Notably, junior secondary school intern teachers staged a nationwide strike to advocate for their confirmation, highlighting the determination of these educators.
This marks the largest wave of confirmations for intern teachers in history, a significant achievement attributed to President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza administration, which has facilitated the hiring of 76,000 teachers since 2022.
As of December 2024, the TSC had 46,000 teachers on its payroll under internship terms, including 21,550 junior school and 4,000 primary school interns recruited in February 2023, along with 450 secondary school interns hired in April 2023, and an additional 20,000 interns brought on board in September 2023.
These teachers will receive their official employment and appointment letters to commence work under permanent terms in January 2025, coinciding with the start of the first school term. With this new status, they will enjoy improved salaries, comprehensive medical coverage, leave entitlements, and access to loans, among other benefits.
A primary school teacher’s net salary will now rise to Ksh 32,000 after deductions, while graduate secondary school teachers, including those in junior secondary, can earn up to Ksh 49,000. Previously, primary school interns earned a mere Ksh 13,000 per month, and secondary school interns received Ksh 17,000 after mandatory deductions.
In October 2024, the TSC announced 46,000 permanent teaching positions, with 6,000 allocated for primary schools, 39,550 for junior schools, and 450 for secondary schools. A staggering 314,000 applicants, including non-interns, vied for these roles. However, the TSC prioritized the elevation of all intern teachers to permanent status, awarding them 50 points in the recruitment process.
The lowest-scoring intern teacher in junior secondary achieved 62 marks, while the lowest non-intern scored 45 marks. The TSC has reiterated that permanent positions will only be granted after completing the internship process.
Earlier this year, the TSC recruited 20,000 teachers on internship terms to bolster learning in junior secondary schools, with plans to convert these positions to pnp status by the end of the year. During the vetting process, the only requirement for these teachers will be to present their ID cards.
Here’s the breakdown of the distribution of the 20,000 junior secondary school intern teachers across various counties:
**Distribution of 20,000 JSS Intern Teachers by County:**
– Baringo: 384
– Marsabit: 138
– Bomet: 523
– Meru: 669
– Bungoma: 782
– Migori: 552
– Busia: 426
– Mombasa: 145
– Elgeyo Marakwet: 312
– Murang’a: 503
– Embu: 315
– Nairobi: 566
– Garissa: 114
– Nakuru: 799
– Homa Bay: 634
– Nandi: 567
– Isiolo: 81
– Narok: 616
– Kajiado: 347
– Nyamira: 347
– Kakamega: 962
– Nyandarua: 316
– Kericho: 477
– Nyeri: 354
– Kiambu: 548
– Samburu: 100
– Kilifi: 548
– Siaya: 518
– Kirinyaga: 214
– Taita Taveta: 182
– Kisii: 647
– Tana River: 121
– Kisumu: 509
– Tharaka Nithi: 323
– Kitui: 947
– Transnzoia: 323
– Kwale: 341
– Turkana: 220
– Laikipia: 221
– Uasin Gishu: 443
– Lamu: 90
– Vihiga: 334
– Machakos: 684
– Wajir: 149
– Makueni: 688
– West Pokot: 399
– Mandera: 178