The Kenya National Union Of Teachers (KNUT) has warned the Junior Secondary Schools JSS Interns of negative consequences of their planned countrywide demonstrations and strike by JSS Interns in January.
Speaking during a fundraiser on December 11, 2023, at Gagra Catholic Church, KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu said that the looming strike by JSS Interns could lead to a potential contract termination that will make it even harder for the interns to be absorbed under permanent and pensionable terms.
Oyuu stated that the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) was inciting interns and warned the interns that the organisation won’t save them from the impending consequences of contract termination.
Also Read: JSS Interns Lock Horns With TSC Over Permanent Employment
However, Oyuu said that the union would like to absorb the JSS teachers under permanent and pensionable employment terms but the strikes are derailing progress and the interns should be patient.
He srated that the union and the government through the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Ministry of Education are having a discussion on how to absorb the interns under permanent terms.
Oyuu revealed that talks are underway to discuss on the techniques and procedures for the teachers’ absorption.
Also Read: KUPPET And TSC Differ Over Recruitment of JSS Interns
KNUT has called out KUPPET and accused them of incitement of the JSS interns, Misleading them and funding their demonstration activities across the country, a move Oyuu has said will be costly.
However, TSC insists that the JSS interns will have to work under contract for another extra year for them to be eligible for permanent and pensionable employment.
The interns on the other hand are reluctant to renew their contracts claiming that the initial agreement was for one year. They have vowed to conduct demonstrations across thr country until their grievances are addressed by the government.
However, TSC has started renewing contracts of willing intern teachers as earlier revealed.