Kwale Junior Secondary School intern teachers have threatened to down their tools if they won't be permanently absorbed by January 2024.
The over 700 JSS teachers claimed the government is violating their rights after working on a contract basis for one year.
Kenya Post Primary Education Teacher Secretary Leonard Oronje said no JSS teachers will renew their contract or return to school if the Teacher Service Commission won't employ them on permanent and pensionable terms.
"We want the TSC to convert the terms of the contract to permanent and pensionable," he said.
Oronje said the government had earlier promised to permanently employ the JSS intern teachers but has now failed to fulfill its pledges and pushed it to 2025.
He said the government's decision is unacceptable.
Oronje said it is contrary to the constitution article 41, the Employment Act 2007, section 37 (1), and the terms of the contract for the JSS intern teachers which state that the contract shall be for 11 months and non-renewable.
He said it's unfortunate that the agreed period is almost over yet the teachers are still casual labourers and taken in circles not knowing their fate.
Oronje said a stipend of Sh17,000 is an insult to the JSS teachers who play a key role in the education sector.
He said the TSC must improve the monthly stipends to Sh45,000 with immediate effect.
He added that the teachers should only teach the subjects they have specialized in and not be forced to teach other areas.
Oronje said the government is wasting a whole generation by forcing the JSS teachers to teach students subjects that they have little or no knowledge of at all.
A JSS intern teacher Mishi Maulid said they have not welcomed the government's call to sign a new contract.
She said the JSS intern teachers are suffering and deserve better since they are professionals.
Maulid said the cost of living has skyrocketed and a stipend of Sh17,000 is a provocation.
She said they want to be on permanent and pensionable terms and receive good salaries like the rest of the Kenyan teachers.
"It's not fair that other teachers are treated well and we are humiliated by poor payment and contract terms," she said.
Maulid said the poor pay has made society perceive the teaching profession as useless.
Another teacher, Suleiman Mwasahani said the JSS be domiciled in senior secondary schools for effective delivery of curriculum.
He said the JSS has the required infrastructure and human resources to implement the Competency-Based curriculum.
Mwasahani said, sadly, that there are some JSS institutions with single teachers resulting in learners in grade 7 losing the whole year without serious learning.
Human Rights Agenda Public Complaint Officer Mwinyihaji Chamosi said the government should consider employing the JSS teachers on permanent and Pensionable terms because it is their right.
He said the teachers have families and responsibilities and underpaying them is unconstitutional.
Chamosi said HURIA will support the JSS teachers and ensure the respective authorities are held accountable.
