How JSS Intern Teachers Will Be Confirmed To PnP Terms
How JSS Intern Teachers Will Be Confirmed To PnP Terms
President William Ruto has confirmed that the planned conversion of junior secondary school teachers to permanent terms is still proceeding.
Despite the setback with the Finance Bill of 2024, the administration is still committed to securing the cash needed to hire these teachers.
The government originally planned to hire 46,000 teachers, who are presently interns, with Sh18.3 billion in funding. The budget had a Sh346 billion shortfall as a result of the Finance Bill’s rejection.
Nonetheless, Ruto made it clear that the government will only borrow Sh169 billion—not the entire sum. In a countrywide speech from the State House, Ruto highlighted the government’s strategy to reduce spending in order to fulfill its commitment to hire teachers.
Following the Finance Bill’s rejection, extensive talks were held to try and find a middle ground between borrowing and implementing austerity measures.
Suggestions for Adjustments to the Budget To bridge the gap, the government will recommend: Spending that was cut by Sh177 billion borrowing the money to cover the shortfall.
The borrowing from 3.3% to 4.6% of GDP, which is still less than last year, will result in an increase in the budget deficit. Through these efforts, funds will be raised to support significant government programs.
Reducing Expenditure and Debt Ruto emphasized that these funds will be used to safeguard the hiring of junior secondary school teachers and medical interns, among other critical services that the Kenyan people have requested.
The estimated budget cuts are occurring since the Finance Bill 2024 was dropped in response to public outcry and protests.
This policy was intended to close the fiscal year 2024–2025 budget deficit. In response, it was proposed to borrow the difference and make a Sh177 billion budget cut.
The budget deficit would increase with this borrowing from 3.3% to 4.6% of GDP, which is still less than it was in the previous year. Parliamentary Group Meeting The National Assembly Finance Committee Chair, Kimani Kuria, said in a statement issued on June 18th that the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition has set aside enough money to confirm the employment of 46,000 interns.
KSh18 billion has been put up for the appointment of all 46,000 junior secondary teachers who are currently completing their internships, the PG was informed.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) plans to hire 20,000 interns starting next month in order to address the junior school teaching shortage as the pioneer class advances to Grade 9 in January 2025.
According to policy, teachers will go from internships to full-time jobs with pensions. However, TSC estimates that by July 1, 2024, it will require Sh30 billion to hire all 46,000 interns on a permanent basis; as a result, the Sh18 billion allocated may not be sufficient.
As a result, as they wait for more funding, TSC may have to hire a few of the intern teachers before recruiting others.
In 2019, the internship program was introduced. Secondary school interns were paid Sh20,000, while primary school interns were paid Sh15,000.
But the JSS interns have protested, saying that these amounts are insufficient to maintain their way of life.
