Hundreds of interns teaching in various Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) across Trans Nzoia County have issued a notice to hold peaceful demonstrations in Kitale town this Friday.
The intern teachers say the demonstrations are aimed at compelling the government through their employer – Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to listen to their grievances.
Among the issues the interns want addressed before the next academic year is their terms of service converted from contract to permanent and pensionable.
In an interview with Uasin Gishu News, Aaron Mukhwana, the interim JSS President in Trans Nzoia County called on TSC all of them instead of extending their contracts for another two years.
The Government had employed over 46,000 intern JSS teachers nationwide.
“We want to state categorically that we shall not accept to renew our contracts with the TSC if we shall not be confirmed after the elapse of our one year contract by December. No confirmation, no renewal, that’s our clarion call,” Mukhwana said.
JSS be in secondary schools
In addition, Walter Wanjala, Interim JSS teacher’s Secretary said junior schools should be domiciled in secondary schools.
“Without mincing our words, we are not comfortable teaching in primary schools because it is not conducive for us. Laboratories, CBC classrooms and other necessities are only found in secondary schools. We better die on the streets than die in dilapidated conditions in primary schools,” Wanjala said.
He further said interns should be properly remunerated and their welfare taken care of like other government employees.
“Imagine, more often than not, we contribute money to buy food, chalks and other items needed to teach learners. Because of that, we demand for better remuneration of JSS interns,” he added.
Millicent Mirikwa, an intern teacher in Kiminini said it was unfair for TSC to employ recent graduates on permanent and pensionable terms and leave behind senior interns who were contracted in February as well as those who were contracted in September.
“2021 and 2022 graduates have been employed on permanent and pensionable terms while we old graduates from 2016 are serving as interns. That’s not good at all and the government must absorb us as soon as possible,” Mirikwa stated.
Unfair employment of graduates
The JSS intern teachers also accused politicians especially Members of Parliament of assuming the responsibility of TSC by dishing out letters of employment to their relatives without following due process.
They have also called for independent management of Junior Secondary Schools arguing that the current primary school heads who also serve JSS head of institutions do not understand their needs.
