CBE in limbo as JSS intern teachers threaten boycott

CBE in limbo as JSS intern teachers threaten boycott over contract

CBE in limbo as JSS intern teachers threaten boycott over contract

A section of Junior Secondary School (J.S.S) teachers hold protests in Murang'a. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard]

Competency-Based Education (CBE) faces uncertainty as Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers threaten to boycott teaching once schools reopen unless they are confirmed on permanent and pensionable terms.

Weeks after President William Ruto assured that  JSS interns would automatically transition to permanent contracts after two years of service, thousands of teachers on Monday (yesterday) marched through the streets of Nairobi, citing inconsistencies between public assurances and the terms in their contracts.

Nehemiah Kipkorir, national chairperson representing the 20,000 intern teachers across the country, said frustrations had reached a tipping point.

“Today here in Nairobi, we have one voice, and one voice is confirmation. Teachers are working under very hard conditions with low pay. All the 20,000 intern teachers have said if there is no confirmation, there is no science," Kipkorir said.

The teachers argue that while they were promised job security after two years, they continue to work under one-year, non-renewable contracts. Many claim they are forced to handle large class sizes, often exceeding 50 students, without adequate teaching resources.

The timing of the unrest is particularly worrying to schools and parents.

The transition of the pioneer CBC cohort into Grade 9, scheduled for January, could be thrown into disarray if JSS teachers down their tools.

Grade 9 will require even more specialised instruction, additional subjects, and expanded learning areas, all of which depend heavily on the same intern teachers who are threatening to withdraw their services.

Kipkorir said the interns are at the forefront of implementing Competency-Based Education, which the government introduced to enhance quality education through practical and learner-centred approaches.

“We have carried the weight of this new system from day one. We have invested our time, energy, and resources to ensure that students benefit, yet our service is treated as temporary,” he said.

The protesters also highlighted issues with pay, saying that while permanent teachers receive structured salaries and benefits, interns are paid significantly less, with delays and inconsistencies in their allowances.

“We work extra hours, prepare lesson plans, conduct assessments, and yet we are treated as temporary labour,” Kipkorir said.

“Sh17,000 is so little and cannot cater for our needs. We have children in school who need fees, we need to pay rent, buy food, and at the same time medical emergencies and transport are expected to be footed by that 17 thousand. How is that possible?” he questioned.

Other frustrations cited by the intern teachers include the lack of medical insurance cover and house allowance, which they said is enjoyed by their counterparts who are on permanent employment.

“We also want our families to enjoy treatment in hospitals without much frustration. Contract employment does not put us in a position to enjoy that,” said Joannitah Muweru, another intern teacher who travelled from Nyeri to be part of the demonstrations.

John Odhiambo, a teacher with special needs, said that the situation is worse for teachers living with disabilities, as their needs stretch further than those of other teachers.

“From the Sh17 thousand, I am supposed to pay the person aiding me with moving around Sh5 thousand. Now that I am blind, I cannot mark books, and therefore I pay Sh10,000 to the person helping me with that. I am left with barely anything to survive on,” he said.

The teachers also criticised TSC for what they describe as “contradictory communication,” where public statements and internal directives do not align.

According to Kipkorir, the lack of clarity has created uncertainty that threatens the morale of educators and the effectiveness of teaching nationwide.

“We are saying enough is enough. Confirmation should come now,” Kipkorir stressed.

He warned that if the government fails to act, teaching in JSS classrooms could be suspended, affecting tens of thousands of students preparing for national assessments.

The interns’ protest highlights deeper structural issues in Kenya’s education sector, including workforce planning, contract management, and teacher welfare.

As schools prepare to reopen in January, the government faces pressure to resolve the matter swiftly to prevent a full-scale boycott that could compromise learning outcomes across the country.