TSC to Convert 24,000 Intern Teachers to Permanent Terms From July 2027, Mbadi Announces

TSC to Convert 24,000 Intern Teachers to Permanent Terms From July 2027, Mbadi Announces

NAIROBI, Kenya – Thousands of intern teachers across Kenya received a major boost on Thursday after Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi announced that 24,000 newly recruited intern teachers will be absorbed into permanent and pensionable employment beginning July 2027.

The announcement was made during the presentation of the 2026/27 National Budget in Parliament, where the Treasury outlined a series of measures aimed at strengthening the country’s education sector and addressing persistent teacher shortages in public schools.

The move is expected to bring relief to thousands of young educators who have spent years serving under internship contracts while seeking full employment through the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

“Further, the newly recruited 24,000 intern teachers will be converted into permanent and pensionable in July 2027,” Mbadi told Members of Parliament during his budget speech.

Major Boost for Kenya’s Education Sector

The latest announcement forms part of the government’s broader strategy to increase the number of teachers in public schools, particularly as the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system continues to expand across the country.

The conversion of the 24,000 interns comes on top of an earlier government commitment to transition another 20,000 intern teachers to permanent and pensionable terms from January 2027.

To facilitate that earlier phase, the Treasury has allocated Ksh4.9 billion, demonstrating what officials describe as the government’s continued investment in improving education standards and staffing levels.

Education stakeholders have long argued that intern teachers play a critical role in sustaining learning in schools but often face challenges associated with temporary contracts, including lower salaries and limited employment benefits.

The latest pledge is therefore being viewed as a significant milestone in addressing those concerns.

Ksh8.2 Billion Set Aside for Internship Programme

Beyond the planned absorption of intern teachers, Mbadi revealed that the government has allocated Ksh8.2 billion to support the teacher internship programme during the 2026/27 financial year.

The funding will enable the Teachers Service Commission to continue deploying teachers to schools experiencing staffing shortages while preparing for future permanent recruitment.

The internship programme has become a key component of Kenya’s teacher recruitment strategy, particularly following the introduction of Junior Secondary School education under the Competency-Based Curriculum.

The rollout of the new system significantly increased demand for teachers, especially in specialized learning areas and practical subjects.

Government officials argue that the internship programme has helped bridge staffing gaps while ensuring learners continue receiving quality instruction.

TSC Receives Largest Education Allocation

In the proposed 2026/27 budget, the Teachers Service Commission emerged among the biggest beneficiaries, receiving an allocation of Ksh424 billion.

The allocation underscores the government’s prioritisation of education, which remains the largest-funded sector in the national budget.

Mbadi defended the administration against criticism that education funding was being reduced, insisting that budgetary support for the sector continues to grow.

“In 2026/27, we are proposing Ksh784.5 billion, which is 26.4 per cent of the ministerial budget. Therefore, it is not correct that this government is defunding education. In fact, we are funding it more,” Mbadi stated.

The allocation is expected to support teacher salaries, school operations, infrastructure development, curriculum implementation, and learner support programmes across the country.

Government Highlights Teacher Recruitment Progress

The Treasury Cabinet Secretary also used the budget address to highlight what he described as unprecedented progress in teacher recruitment under the current administration.

According to Mbadi, the government is on track to employ a record number of teachers by next year.

“By next year, this government will have employed 116,000 teachers. On average, that is more than 20,000 teachers per year. No previous government has ever employed more than 10,000 teachers per year,” he told Parliament.

The statement comes amid continued calls from teachers’ unions and education stakeholders for more recruitment to address classroom shortages, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

For thousands of intern teachers awaiting confirmation, Thursday’s announcement represents more than just a policy declaration—it offers renewed hope for job security, improved earnings, pension benefits, and long-term career stability.

As Kenya continues implementing education reforms under the Competency-Based Education framework, the government’s latest commitment signals a sustained effort to strengthen the teaching workforce and improve learning outcomes for millions of students nationwide.

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TSC to Convert 24,000 Intern Teachers to Permanent Terms From July 2027, Mbadi Announces