MPs & TSC To JSS Hiring .
MPs & TSC To JSS Hiring . MPs & TSC To JSS Hiring: Key Discussion on 46,000 Intern Teachers
Parliamentary Meeting with TSC
The National Assembly Education Committee will meet with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) tomorrow. They will discuss the employment of 46,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers and get an update on promotions for teachers in their 40s and 50s.
Court Ruling Impacts Hiring Plans
Recently, the Court of Appeal halted plans to make 46,000 intern teachers permanent and pensionable. Justices Asike Makhandia, Sankale Ole Kantai, and Ngenye Macharia suspended previous orders from the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) that required TSC to convert these positions. As a result, the interns must continue in their current roles until the court case is resolved.
TSC’s Financial Challenges
Nancy Macharia of the TSC leads the ongoing case. TSC argued that the ELRC’s orders disrupted its plans, as the necessary funds for permanent hires were not budgeted. TSC lawyer Allan Sitima emphasized that the lack of financial resources could compromise the constitutional rights of public school students.
Significant Funding Gap
TSC faces a substantial financial shortfall of Sh3.2 billion in its bid to transition the 46,000 interns. The government has allocated Sh13.4 billion, but TSC estimated it needed Sh16.6 billion. This allocation followed months of disputes, including a strike, layoffs, and a court case.
2024-25 Budget Proposal
In the 2024-25 budget proposal presented to Parliament, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u suggested allocating Sh13.4 billion to address the issue. However, this amount falls short of fully covering TSC’s financial needs.
Ongoing Disputes and Legal Battles
The practice of employing teachers on an internship basis has been contentious. Interns argue they perform the same duties as permanent staff but receive much lower pay. The Employment and Labour Relations Court had halted the hiring of tutors on an intern basis, agreeing with the interns that the practice was unfair. However, TSC contested this decision at the Court of Appeal and recently secured a reprieve.
Next Steps
As the court case continues, the Education Committee and TSC must work together to find a solution. The future of the 46,000 JSS intern teachers depends on these discussions and the eventual resolution of the legal battle.
Conclusion
The meeting between the MPs and TSC is crucial for resolving the employment status of 46,000 JSS intern teachers. With significant financial challenges and ongoing legal disputes, the path to permanency for these teachers remains complex. The hope is that the discussions will lead to a viable solution that benefits both the teachers and the education system.
