Ndindi Nyoro, Chairperson of the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee, has revealed that the government will confirm all Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers who are currently on internship terms.

Nyoro revealed that the 2024/2025 Financial Budget had already set aside Ksh.300 billion for the Teachers Service Commission to employ JSS teachers on permanent and pensionable terms.

Nyoro was defending the budget cuts in the following fiscal year, where projections showed the Education sector budget had been slashed, with Basic Education being reduced by Ksh.19.429 billion.

“TSC is the number one highest funded institution in Kenya with over Ksh.300 billion. We want to confirm JSS teachers and I want to reassure them that we are going to provide money for the confirmation of permanent and pensionable terms to intern JSS teachers,” Nyoro said.

IBP Country Manager Dr Abraham Rugo who was also on the platform however refuted the MP’s sentiments arguing that the recent budget proposal had highlighted that only 55 per cent of the interns who are currently on strike would be absorbed.  

“The provision within the budget document that PS for education asked the same question; according to the budget document proposal, only 55 per cent are scheduled to be absorbed, 45% are going to remain as interns,” said Dr Rugo.

In his defence, the lawmaker stated that Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang was simply advocating for a budget increase, as any other PS would do for their department.

The JSS interns downed their tools last week demanding employment on permanent and pensionable terms.

On Friday, Parliament raised a red flag over alleged massive graft in the issuance of capitation funds to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) across the country.

Through the Budget and Appropriations Committee, Parliament noted that tens of fake schools had benefited from the funds at the expense of registered schools