20,000 Intern Teachers to Get Permanent Jobs by January 2027, CS Ogamba Says

20,000 Intern Teachers to Get Permanent Jobs by January 2027, CS Ogamba Says

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has confirmed that 20,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers will be absorbed into permanent and pensionable employment from January 1, 2027.

Ogamba made the announcement during Senate proceedings on Wednesday, October 7, as the government provided details on its plans to address teacher shortages in Junior Secondary Schools.

The CS said the National Treasury had allocated KSh4.9 billion in the 2026/27 financial year to fund the recruitment and employment of the 20,000 teachers on permanent and pensionable terms.

“In the financial year of 2026/2027, the National Treasury has provided funding for the recruitment of 20,000 teachers for junior schools on permanent and pensionable terms, effective January 1, 2027.”

The announcement confirms an earlier commitment by President William Ruto during the World Teachers’ Day celebrations at Kasarani Stadium on Monday, October 5.

Ruto announces teacher recruitment plan

Ruto had announced that 20,000 contract teachers would be absorbed into permanent and pensionable employment beginning January 2027.

The President also said the government would recruit an additional 20,000 teachers before the end of 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen staffing in schools.

The latest confirmation by Ogamba provides details on the funding behind the planned conversion of the first 20,000 JSS intern teachers.

The move is expected to provide greater job security for teachers who have been working under internship arrangements while supporting the expansion of Junior Secondary School education.

Remaining 24,000 interns await funding

Ogamba said the government was also committed to gradually absorbing the remaining 24,000 JSS intern teachers into permanent and pensionable employment.

However, he explained that the transition would depend on the availability of additional resources from the National Treasury.

“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.”

The CS said the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) would continue discussions with Treasury and other stakeholders to secure the required funding.

The government’s position follows an earlier commitment by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi that 24,000 intern teachers were expected to transition to permanent terms from July 2027, subject to funding.

Court orders affect JSS internship programme

The government is also implementing the internship programme amid ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the employment of intern teachers.

Court orders issued earlier in the year directed intern teachers to continue working pending the determination of a case challenging aspects of the programme.

Ogamba said the Ministry of Education and TSC would continue complying with court directives while working on longer-term solutions to teacher shortages.

“The Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission will continue to comply with court directives while pursuing long-term measures to address teacher staffing requirements in Junior Secondary Schools.”

The government has previously defended the internship programme as part of efforts to provide teaching experience while addressing staffing gaps in schools.

More teachers expected in schools

The planned absorption of 20,000 interns comes as the government seeks to strengthen teacher numbers following the transition to the Competency-Based Curriculum and the expansion of Junior Secondary School.

The additional recruitment of another 20,000 teachers before the end of 2026 would further increase the number of teachers entering public schools.

For JSS intern teachers, the January 1, 2027 transition will mark a significant change in their employment status.

However, the future of the remaining 24,000 interns will depend on further budgetary allocations and government discussions with the Treasury.

The government has indicated that the process will be implemented gradually as resources become available, with teacher staffing remaining a key issue in Kenya’s education sector.

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20,000 Intern Teachers to Get Permanent Jobs by January 2027, CS Ogamba Says