JSS teachers issue nationwide strike notice over employment terms

The teachers are demanding that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) immediately convert the status of over 44,000 intern teachers to permanent and pensionable terms, following a High Court ruling that declared the internship contracts illegal.

They are also calling for a reliable medical cover to replace what they describe as the failing Social Health Authority (SHA) system, as well as administrative autonomy from primary school management to safeguard their professional status.

Union leaders have urged parents to keep learners at home, warning that they will paralyze learning through a total withdrawal of labour and street protests until a formal agreement is reached with the government.

“Most watchmen and cleaners with no formal qualifications are better than these intern teachers who are graduates who trained to get the best grades in the education ladder,” said Yvonne Musyoka, the KUPPET Executive Secretary in Machakos. 

“The court has already pronounced that internship is illegal so we want to tell them that they should be ready,” said Matthew Merimeruk, KUPPET Assistant Executive Secretary in West Pokot. 

“We are saying confirm the 44,000 teachers, and on Monday, we will down our tools and go to the streets,” added Everline Kelly, KUPPET Youth Secretary in Machakos.