JSS Intern Teachers Suspend Strike, Resume Classes on Monday
To expedite the ratification of the national budget on Thursday, leaders of junior secondary schools (JSS) have consented to suspend their ongoing demonstrations.
This decision came after a series of productive negotiations with the Labor and Education committees of the National Assembly, leading to the ratification of certain demands and their presentation to the budget committee.
The intern teachers, who had been on strike since April 17, 2024, have agreed to temporarily suspend their strike. They intend to assist the National Assembly in passing the budget and have requested that all intern teachers resume classes as volunteers rather than trainees on Monday, June 10, 2024.
JSS Teachers Warning
Bonface Omari, the National Spokesperson of JSS, elucidated that teaching is a noble profession that necessitates sacrifices for the nation’s future. He emphasized the importance of preventing the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) or the government from exploiting teachers’ compassionate nature.
The JSS leadership issued a warning that protests would recommence if the TSC fails to adhere to the agreed-upon terms by July 5, 2024. Additionally, any misappropriation of funds by the commission would result in a return to demonstrations.
Mr. Omari, representing the intern JSS teachers, urged the TSC to employ them on permanent and pensionable terms. It was emphasized that the graduate teachers were employed as interns in 2019. They requested the immediate release of a circular that would affirm their permanent status following the budget’s passage.
According to JSS Secretary General Daniel Mureithi, ongoing legal disputes and appeals over the legality of internships shouldn’t have an impact on the confirmation of teachers. He acknowledged the agreement with the National Assembly’s committees and the subsequent presentation to the budget committee.
Suspension of demonstrations
To facilitate the budget’s passage, the committees requested the suspension of demonstrations, and they encouraged TSC to prepare for the immediate recruitment of teachers upon receipt of funds.
The JSS leaders suspended their demonstrations in recognition of the committee’s dedication and efforts for the children of impoverished Kenyan parents.
However, they emphasized that if, by July 5, 2024, no word regarding their confirmation arrived, they would return to the streets. For the next four weeks, Omari reiterated that teachers would return to classrooms as volunteers, out of concern for the students’ welfare, rather than as interns.
The JSS leadership underscored that the profession necessitates sacrifices, but they should not result in exploitation.
They expressed their dissatisfaction with the government for employing qualified teachers as interns for an extended period, emphasizing the negative impact of disruptions on both students and teachers.
The National Assembly Committee on Education had previously encouraged the TSC to transition 26,000 interns to permanent employment beginning in July 2024.
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In conclusion:
Strike Suspension: From July 5 to July 5, 2024. Interns will resume classes on June 10, 2024.
Primary Requirements: The granting of permanent and pensionable contracts to 46,000 teachers. The confirmation circular will be released immediately following the budget.
Future Actions: If the demands are not satisfied by July 5, 2024, protests may resume.
JSS Intern Teachers Suspend Strike, Resume Classes on Monday
