Permanent Jobs for Intern Teachers on Track, Affirms President Ruto.
President William Ruto has confirmed that the plan to convert 46,000 junior secondary school intern teachers to permanent positions is still progressing. Speaking on Friday, the President assured that despite the setback of the Finance Bill 2024, which aimed to address the budget shortfall for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, the government will find alternative ways to secure the necessary funds for these hires.
However, the intern teachers might have to wait longer for better pay and permanent job terms. President Ruto called for their patience as the government seeks funding for their employment. Initially, the Ruto administration had allocated Sh18.3 billion for hiring intern teachers.
The collapse of the bill created a budget gap of Sh346 billion. Despite this, Ruto stated that the government plans to borrow only Sh169 billion to cover part of the deficit. Speaking from State House, Ruto mentioned that the government will adjust its budget to fulfill the promise of employing the teachers. After rejecting the Finance Bill, the government held extensive consultations to balance borrowing and implement austerity measures.
The budget cuts are a result of the Finance Bill 2024 being withdrawn after public outcry and protests. This bill was intended to address the budget shortfall for the 2024/2025 financial year. “We will be proposing budget cuts of Sh177 billion and borrowing the difference,” Ruto explained. “The borrowing will increase the budget deficit from 3.3 percent to 4.6 percent of the GDP, which is still lower than last year.”
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After a Parliamentary Group Meeting of the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition on June 18, National Assembly Finance Committee Chair Kimani Kuria announced that the government has allocated sufficient funds for confirming the 46,000 intern teachers. “The PG learned that the government has provided adequate funds – KSh18 billion – for employing all 46,000 Junior Secondary teachers who are on internship,” Kuria stated.
Additionally, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) plans to hire 20,000 interns starting next month to address the shortage of teachers in Junior Schools as the pioneer class advances to Grade 9 in January 2025. “The funds have also been provided to hire 20,000 interns next month. The policy now is to transition teachers from internship to permanent and pensionable terms,” Kuria added.
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However, the Sh18 billion might fall short of the required funds to employ all the interns. TSC has indicated that it needs Sh30 billion to hire all 46,000 interns into permanent positions by July 1, 2024. This shortfall could mean that TSC will need to employ a portion of the intern teachers initially, while others wait for additional allocations for permanent and pensionable positions.
The internship program began in 2019, with secondary school interns earning Sh20,000 and primary school interns earning Sh15,000. During their demonstrations, Junior Secondary School (JSS) interns argued that this amount was insufficient to sustain their livelihoods.
In February 2023, TSC hired 21,550 junior school and 4,000 primary school intern instructors. By April 2023, another 450 intern instructors for secondary schools were hired. In September 2023, TSC hired 18,000 junior school and 2,000 primary school intern instructors.
Key Points:
- Government Commitment: President Ruto reassures that the conversion of 46,000 intern teachers to permanent positions is still on track despite financial setbacks.
- Budget Adjustments: The government will adjust its budget and borrow funds to meet the employment promise.
- Funding Shortfall: While Sh18 billion is allocated, TSC needs Sh30 billion, potentially delaying permanent positions for some interns.
- Ongoing Hiring: TSC continues to hire intern teachers to address shortages, with plans to hire 20,000 more interns next month.
In conclusion, despite the challenges posed by the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024, the Kenyan government remains committed to converting 46,000 junior secondary school intern teachers to permanent positions. The Teachers Service Commission continues its efforts to address the teacher shortage in junior schools. Ongoing consultations and budget adjustments support these efforts. The transition from internship to permanent positions is a significant step towards improving the livelihoods and job security of teachers in Kenya.
Permanent Jobs for Intern Teachers on Track, Affirms President Ruto.
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