Nairobi JSS intern teachers protest and seek permanent employment.
Junior Secondary School intern teachers have pledged to stage ongoing demonstrations around the nation until they are hired on a permanent, pensionable basis by the Teachers Service Commission.
At the moment, the intern teachers work under annual contracts.
Chairperson Owino Okelo of Nairobi County JSS intern teachers led the teachers in a protest march on Monday from the Nairobi bus terminal to TSC offices.
“There will be constant strikes by JSS teachers in Nairobi and the country at large until we are confirmed into permanent and pensionable terms,” he added.
According to Okelo, the judges’ ruling that the TSC internship program is illegal means that the teachers will not be reporting to schools as interns.
“We obey the court order by staying away from schools and all teachers shall be involved in peaceful demos as call and agitation for action from TSC in a bid to comply with the court ruling,” he added.
Okelo stated that TSC’s attempt to appeal the court order was unsuccessful.
The teachers are seeking confirmation for periods that are both permanent and pensionable.
They also want payment for the time they spent working as interns without receiving salary.
“TSC is at liberty to call the teachers for negotiations on how the interns can be confirmed into permanent and pensionable terms in compliance with the court ruling,” stated Okelo.
Because the intern instructors are qualified and hold teaching licenses, Justice Bryrum Ongaya of the Employment and Labour Relations Court concluded on Wednesday, April 17 of this year, that TSC had breached their right to fair labor practices.
As stated in the verdict, Ongaya “has not exhibited statutory regulatory or policy arrangements that would entitle the first respondent (TSC) to employ interns.”
In order to meet the best staffing needs in public schools, the first respondent should ideally hire registered instructors on nondiscriminatory terms, according to the verdict.
Since last year, intern teachers have been demonstrating all throughout the nation in favor of better working conditions.
Nairobi JSS intern teachers protest and seek permanent employment.
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