Ogamba: Government has provided funding for employment of 20,000 JSS teachers

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has told the Senate that the government remains committed to the progressive absorption of intern teachers into permanent and pensionable employment, subject to the availability of budgetary resources.

Ogamba told Senators that in the Financial Year 2026/2027, the National Treasury has provided funding for the recruitment of 20,000 teachers for Junior Secondary Schools on permanent and pensionable terms, effective January 1, 2027.

Ogamba, who appeared before the Senate Plenary to answer questions, was responding to a question by Nominated Senator Joyce Korir, who sought to know what measures are currently in place by the Ministry for the permanent absorption of intern teachers.

“We will continue to engage the National Treasury and other stakeholders with a view to securing additional resources to facilitate the gradual absorption of the remaining 24,000 intern teachers into permanent and pensionable service,” said Ogamba.

Senator Korir asked Ogamba to provide an up-to-date timeline to pay the 40,000 Junior Secondary School teacher interns their outstanding dues after the lapse of their internship and sought clarification on who will fill the gap left by the interns in the absence of government funding.

Ogamba said that the Government, through the Teachers Service Commission, has continued to meet its obligations under the internship programme and all Junior School teacher interns have been paid their monthly stipends in accordance with the terms of engagement.

He said that following ongoing court proceedings relating to the internship programme, the Court issued orders allowing the continued engagement of the intern teachers pending determination of the matter; consequently, the interns continue to serve in schools and receive their stipends as provided for under the programme.

“Currently there are no staffing gaps arising from the internship programme since the Government continues to fund and retain the intern teachers in service; the Ministry will continue to comply with court directives while pursuing long-term measures to address teacher staffing requirements in Junior Secondary Schools,” said Ogamba.

Senator Korir asked the Cabinet Secretary to provide an update on the progress of incorporating JSS into primary schools across the country and indicate when JSS will be incorporated in all primary schools.

Ogamba said that the Government adopted a policy of hosting Junior School classes within existing public primary school institutions to ensure a smooth transition and optimise available infrastructure and that Junior Schools are already operational in the vast majority of public primary schools designated to host Grades 7, 8 and 9 across the country.

He said that as of June 2026, Junior School education is being offered in over 20,000 public institutions nationwide, with the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission having continued to support implementation through recruitment and deployment of teachers, provision of learning and teaching materials, expansion of infrastructure and strengthening of institutional management structures.

“The Government's current focus is therefore not on introducing JSS into primary schools, as this has largely been achieved, but rather on strengthening implementation through continued investment in infrastructure, staffing, equipment, laboratories, workshops, and other facilities required for effective delivery of Competency-Based Education,” said Ogamba.

Senator Korir sought to know the specific criteria and requirements used to recruit and employ PI teachers, and what is the latest graduation year that has been employed in the 47 counties so far

Ogamba said that the recruitment of primary school teachers is guided by the Constitution, particularly Article 232 on the values and principles of public service; The Teachers Service Commission; The Code of Regulations for Teachers; The Policy on Teacher Recruitment and Selection; and the Annual Teacher Recruitment Guidelines issued by the Commission.

He told Senators that the Teachers Service Commission advertises vacancies through the print media and the Commission website, with eligible applicants submitting their applications online and being invited for document verification and selection at the sub-county level.

“The recruitment process incorporates decentralised recruitment at the sub-county level to enhance access and representation; Standardized scoring criteria applied uniformly across the country; and Equitable distribution of vacancies based on staffing needs,” said Ogamba.

He said that recruitment of Teachers involves the reservation of at least five per cent of vacancies for Persons with Disabilities, consideration of gender balance and preference for qualified local applicants to enhance teacher retention and equitable regional representation.

 enyarangi@standardmedia.co.ke