Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said intern teachers will be absorbed on permanent and pensionable basis.

He said that the government seeks to bridge the over 111,000 teachers deficit progressively to reduces the burden on staff in order to improve quality.

“I am aware of the push to have those in internship confirmed as permanent and pensionable.

"It was a deliberate strategy on our part with negotiations with TSC because of budgetary constraints, we agreed that we take some teachers on permanent and pensionable basis and others as interns but they will get the first opportunity for conversion to permanent terms,” said Gachagua during the 63rd Kenya National

Union of Teachers (Knut) Annual Delegates Conference at Kasarani, Nairobi.

Besides addressing unemployment and promoting quality education, Gachagua said the Kenya Kwanza government had employed over 56,000 teachers in its first year in office.

The DP has said the government is addressing security challenges in some parts of the country where teachers have fled for fear of their lives.

He said insecurity had disrupted learning, especially in some parts of North Rift and North Eastern regions.

“We are undertaking a disarmament exercise to rid these areas of criminals. We also understand the value of education in sustainably addressing banditry and other forms of security threats, as we progressively move communities from past retrogressive practices.

"I take this moment to confirm to you that security of the North Rift and areas prone to terrorism are on our radar and we will not relent until we restore peace. A threat to our teachers is a threat to our nation’s future,” Gachagua said.

The DP said the government appreciates that teachers have the choice of preferred areas to serve in and urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and other stakeholders to work on a formula that will ensure some regions are not disadvantaged.