Junior Secondary School (JSS) leaders have agreed to suspend their ongoing demonstrations to facilitate the passage of the national budget on Thursday.

The decision comes after a series of successful negotiations with the National Assembly’s Labor and Education committees, which led to the approval of some of their demands and their subsequent presentation to the budget committee.

The teachers say they are proceeding in good faith and are confident that Parliament's engagement with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) will lead to compliance and fulfillment of their demands.

The JSS leadership has subsequently requested all intern teachers to resume classes starting Monday, June 10, 2024, further noting that they will be going back to class as volunteers and not as trainees.

"Teaching is a noble profession and many at times we make sacrifices for the sake of the future of our nation but we have shown TSC and the government that they cannot take advantage of our caring nature to exploit us or enslave us," JSS National Spokesperson Bonface Omari said.

They added that the protests will resume if the TSC does not comply with the agreed terms by July 5, 2024.

They further warned that any misappropriation of funds by the commission will also result in a return to demonstrations.

"We are aware there are cases in court, we have appealed, that should not affect the confirmation of teachers, we are aware that internship was declared illegal," JSS Secretary General Daniel Mureithi said.