The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has officially confirmed 46,000 teachers following the completion of their probationary period. These teachers, who were granted permanent and pensionable (pnp) positions in January of this year, have successfully finished their six-month probation in accordance with TSC regulations.
Their probation commenced in January after they transitioned from internship to pnp employment. However, this transition was not without challenges, particularly for junior secondary school (JSS) intern teachers, who participated in a nationwide strike advocating for their confirmation by the government.
This marks the largest conversion of intern teachers to permanent positions in history, a development attributed to President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza government’s initiative, which has resulted in the hiring of 76,000 teachers since 2022.
As of December 2024, TSC had 46,000 teachers on its payroll serving under internship terms. This group included 21,550 junior school and 4,000 primary school intern teachers recruited in February 2023, along with 450 secondary school intern teachers hired in April 2023, and 18,000 junior school and 2,000 primary school intern teachers recruited in September 2023.
These teachers received employment and appointment letters to begin working under permanent terms in January 2025, coinciding with the start of the first term of the school year. In addition to improved salaries, they are now entitled to comprehensive medical coverage, leave, loans, and other benefits.
A primary school teacher now earns a net salary of Ksh 32,000 after statutory deductions, while a graduate secondary school teacher, including those in junior secondary, can earn up to Ksh 49,000 in net pay. Previously, primary school intern teachers earned Ksh 13,000 per month, while secondary school interns received Ksh 17,000 after deductions for SHIF, NSSF, and House Levy.
In October 2024, TSC advertised 46,000 permanent teaching positions, with 6,000 for primary schools, 39,550 for junior schools, and 450 for secondary schools. Approximately 314,000 applicants, including non-interns, vied for these positions. However, the Commission prioritized the employment of all intern teachers, awarding them 50 marks in the recruitment process.
The scoresheet revealed that the lowest-scoring intern teacher in junior secondary achieved a maximum of 62 marks, while the lowest non-intern teacher scored a maximum of 45 marks. TSC has previously indicated that only teachers who have completed the internship process will be recruited for permanent positions.
In January of this year, TSC recruited 20,000 teachers on internship terms to support learning in junior secondary. These teachers will be converted to pnp terms by the end of the year, with the only requirement being the presentation of their ID cards during the vetting process.
Below is the distribution of the 20,000 JSS intern teachers across various counties:
**Distribution of 20,000 JSS Intern Teachers by County:**
– Baringo: 384
– Marsabit: 138
– Bomet: 523
– Meru: 669
– Bungoma: 782
– Migori: 552
– Busia: 426
– Mombasa: 145
– Elgeyo Marakwet: 312
– Murang’a: 503
– Embu: 315
– Nairobi: 566
– Garissa: 114
– Nakuru: 799
– Homa Bay: 634
– Nandi: 567
– Isiolo: 81
– Narok: 616
– Kajiado: 347
– Nyamira: 347
– Kakamega: 962
– Nyandarua: 316
– Kericho: 477
– Nyeri: 354
– Kiambu: 548
– Samburu: 100
– Kilifi: 548
– Siaya: 518
– Kirinyaga: 214
– Taita Taveta: 182
– Kisii: 647
– Tana River: 121
– Kisumu: 509
– Tharaka Nithi: 323
– Kitui: 947
– Transnzoia: 323
– Kwale: 341
– Turkana: 220
– Laikipia: 221
– Uasin Gishu: 443
– Lamu: 90
– Vihiga: 334
– Machakos: 684
– Wajir: 149
– Makueni: 688
– West Pokot: 399
– Mandera: 178
