Uncertainty surrounding JSS teachers’ futures and financial difficulties to Affect Learning

Uncertainty surrounding JSS teachers’ futures and financial difficulties to Affect Learning

Uncertainty surrounding JSS teachers’ futures and financial difficulties to Affect Learning. Schools are facing heightened concerns as they resume after the midterm break, with issues surrounding the job security of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers, financial difficulties, and the safety of students.

The prospect of permanent and pensionable positions for over 46,000 intern teachers this month seems increasingly unlikely due to anticipated budget cuts affecting key educational projects.

The government had earmarked Sh18 billion for hiring interns starting in July, but these plans are now uncertain, leading to further delays in the intern teachers’ employment. Initially, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) intended to offer permanent and pensionable terms to interns by January 2025. However, protests by some teachers demanding better employment terms prompted MPs in May to push for an earlier confirmation.

Budget cuts and delays in employing intern teachers may force thousands back to the streets to demand permanent positions. This tension coincides with ongoing anti-government demonstrations across the country, which have impacted school schedules. Many schools, slated to reopen on Monday and Tuesday after the midterm break, delayed their reopening to Wednesday due to safety concerns.

Boarding schools sent students home early last week due to intensified protests against the Finance Bill 2024, extending the midterm break beyond the Ministry of Education’s prescribed three-day period.

Willie Kuria, Chairman of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA), noted that anxiety among parents and teachers led to this decision. “Many teachers sent students home early due to the uncertainty. Last week, we were in Mombasa, and as parents, we couldn’t feel secure with students on the roads,” Kuria explained.

Kuria highlighted that the financial crisis, exacerbated by government delays in disbursing capitation funds, poses a significant challenge for schools. Despite the extended break, many parents have sent their children back to school without paying fees, worsening the financial strain on institutions.

“We are struggling. Some parents can’t even afford bus fare for their children to return to school after the midterm break, let alone the school fees,” he added.

Benson Manoo, Principal of Machakos School, reported that while most students have returned, many have not paid their school fees. “Parents have been asking for more time to settle their fee balances.

We understand, especially after the floods and looting during the protests, that many livelihoods have been severely affected,” Manoo said.

Silas Obuhatsa, Chairman of the National Parents Association, urged school administrators to give parents additional time to clear fee arrears.

Uncertainty surrounding JSS teachers’ futures and financial difficulties will impact Learning