JSS teachers in Elgeyo Marakwet issue ultimatum to govt over internship status
Teachers in Elgeyo Marakwet County have threatened not to return to work or school at the beginning of the first term of 2026 if the government does not meet their demands for self-autonomy, alongside permanent employment for some intern teachers.
The teachers are calling on the government to employ Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers, who are currently serving under the internship programme, on Permanent and Pensionable (P&P) terms with full benefits.
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According to the KUPPET Branch Secretary for Elgeyo Marakwet County, Paul Biwott, the teachers have insisted that they will not heed the call to return to work in January if their demands are not implemented. He made the remarks while addressing the media on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
He emphasised that the interns signed a one-year contract, not three years.
The teachers have demanded that President William Ruto intervene and ensure that these educators are confirmed into permanent and pensionable terms.
“We are requesting our President, William Ruto, to kindly confirm every service intern. They are not in any training; they are fully qualified and trained as teachers,” Kemboi said.
Meanwhile, County Secretary of JSS Stephen Kitum reiterated that Junior Secondary School teachers are wallowing in a miasma of confusion.
Kitum said the majority of them do not know their future career pathways, as well as their progression within the profession.
“All problems that are emanating within the Junior School mean we need autonomy of the Junior School,” Kitum added.
The same concerns were echoed by Raymond Biwott, who insisted that JSS teachers must be confirmed under permanent and pensionable terms and should not be compelled to sign another one-year contract.
Biwott further noted that teachers play a key role in shaping the future of the country, especially under Vision 2030, where science is considered a cornerstone of Kenya’s education and development agenda.
“Most of these intern teachers are our science teachers, who are the people that will make the future of science in 2030 achievable,” Biwott said.
