Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has confirmed that 20,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers will be absorbed into permanent and pensionable employment from January 1, 2027.

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During Senate proceedings on Wednesday, October 7, Ogamba said the National Treasury allocated Ksh4.9 billion to fund the positions in the 2026/27 financial year.

“In the financial year of 2026/2027, the National Treasury has provided funding for the recruitment of 20,000 teachers for junior schools on permanent and pensionable terms, effective January 1, 2027,” he said.

His remarks aligned with President William Ruto’s announcement during the World Teachers’ Day celebrations at Kasarani Stadium on Monday, October 5, that 20,000 contract teachers would be absorbed into permanent and pensionable employment from January next year.

📌 What You Need to Know

Ogamba said the government is meeting its obligations to intern teachers, who remain in schools and receive their monthly stipends.

Court orders in April had directed the interns to continue working pending the determination of a case challenging the programme.

“The Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission will continue to comply with court directives while pursuing long-term measures to address teacher staffing requirements in Junior Secondary Schools,” the CS added.

Ogamba noted that the ministry also plans to gradually absorb the remaining 24,000 interns into permanent and pensionable employment, though he said the move will depend on the availability of additional funding.

He said the ministry and TSC will continue discussions with Treasury and other stakeholders to secure funding for the remaining group.

“We will continue to engage the National Treasury and other stakeholders with a view to securing additional resources to facilitate the gradual absorption of the remaining 24,000 intern teachers into permanent and pensionable service,” Ogamba said.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke