The post covers about TSC Delays 46000 Intern Teacher Confirmations to 2025. In a recent development, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced a delay in the confirmation of 46,000 intern teachers to permanent and pensionable (PNP) terms.
Originally expected to take place in 2024, the confirmation process will now be pushed to January 2025 due to significant budget constraints.
This decision comes as a major setback for the thousands of intern teachers who were anticipating job security and career advancement. The TSC’s budget has faced substantial cuts from the Treasury, impacting its ability to fulfill financial commitments.
In this blog, we delve into the reasons behind the delay, the implications for intern teachers, and the measures being taken to address the challenges. Join us as we explore the unfolding situation and what it means for the future of Kenya’s education sector.
TSC Delays 46000 Intern Teacher Confirmations to 2025
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced that the confirmation of 46,000 intern teachers to permanent and pensionable (PNP) terms will be delayed until January 2025 due to budget constraints.
During a session before the National Assembly Education Committee, TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia revealed that the commission requires at least Sh18.9 billion to confirm the serving intern teachers, but serious budget cuts from Treasury have made this impossible.
The recurrent TSC budget has been slashed by Sh10.28 billion, reducing the gross recurrent budget for the 2024-2025 financial year to Sh347.49 billion from the initially allocated Sh357.77 billion. Additionally, the development budget has been cut by Sh38 million, affecting government-funded projects.
As a result, plans to recruit 18,000 junior and 2,000 primary school intern teachers originally scheduled for July have been postponed to October. The current payroll includes 21,550 junior, 4,000 primary, and 450 secondary school intern teachers recruited earlier in the year.
The cuts also mean there will be delays in implementing the second phase of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between TSC and teacher unions, which had been allocated Sh10 billion. In August last year, the commission and union representatives amended the CBA to include a salary increment of up to 9.5% spread over two years.
However, due to the budget cuts, the training of teachers, initially allocated Sh262 million, will also be reviewed. Other affected areas include membership subscriptions to professional bodies, routine asset maintenance, and the purchase of motor vehicles, which had an allocation of Sh18.6 million.
The completion of the commission’s county offices in Machakos and Kilifi, which are at an advanced stage, will also be delayed due to the budget cuts. Furthermore, the provision for medical cover, group life, group personal accident, and Work Injury Benefits Act for teachers and secretariat staff has been reduced by 50%, resulting in a shortfall of Sh11.89 billion.
Despite these challenges, the TSC remains committed to ensuring that the confirmation process will be completed by January 2025. This delay highlights the pressing need for adequate budget allocations to meet the financial commitments and ensure the smooth operation of the education sector.
Will TSC confirm interns teachers in 2024?
The confirmation of intern teachers to permanent and pensionable (PNP) terms by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is a critical milestone in the journey of thousands of educators in Kenya.
With over 46,000 intern teachers currently on the TSC payroll, the process of converting these internships into permanent positions is eagerly awaited. However, recent developments have raised questions about whether this confirmation will occur in 2024.
The TSC, as Kenya’s principal body responsible for the employment and deployment of teachers, has faced significant challenges in recent years, largely due to budget constraints.
In a recent session before the National Assembly Education Committee, TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia highlighted the financial difficulties impeding the commission’s ability to confirm intern teachers to PNP terms.
Budgetary Challenges
The primary obstacle to confirming intern teachers has been substantial budget cuts from the Treasury. The TSC’s recurrent budget for the 2024-2025 financial year has been reduced by Sh10.28 billion, bringing it down to Sh347.49 billion from an initially allocated Sh357.77 billion.
Furthermore, the development budget has been cut by Sh38 million, affecting various government-funded projects. Dr. Macharia stated that the TSC requires at least Sh18.9 billion to confirm the serving intern teachers, but these financial constraints have made it difficult to meet this requirement.
Impact on Recruitment and Programs
Due to these budgetary constraints, plans to recruit 18,000 junior and 2,000 primary school intern teachers originally scheduled for July have been postponed to October. Additionally, the current payroll includes 21,550 junior, 4,000 primary, and 450 secondary school intern teachers recruited earlier in the year.
These delays have also affected the implementation of the second phase of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between TSC and teacher unions, which had been allocated Sh10 billion.
This phase was supposed to include a salary increment of up to 9.5% spread over two years, but the budget cuts have necessitated a review of this increment.
Delayed Confirmation
Given these financial challenges, TSC has announced that the confirmation of intern teachers will be delayed until January 2025. This decision, while disappointing for many intern teachers, is a necessary measure to ensure that the commission can meet its financial commitments and maintain the smooth operation of the education sector.
Dr. Macharia emphasized that the delay is temporary and that TSC is committed to completing the confirmation process by the new date.
Government Support and Commitment
Despite these challenges, the Kenyan government remains committed to supporting TSC and ensuring that the confirmation process is completed. The Ministry of Education is working closely with TSC to address the financial shortfalls and explore alternative funding mechanisms.
This collaboration is crucial to ensuring that the transition from internship to permanent employment is as seamless as possible for the affected teachers.
What TSC Intern Teachers Can Expect
As the confirmation date approaches, intern teachers are advised to stay informed about any updates from TSC. The commission has reassured that the process will be expedited for those already in the system.
Intern teachers should ensure that their details are up-to-date and complete any necessary documentation to facilitate a smooth transition when the confirmation process resumes.
While the delay in confirmation is a setback, the long-term benefits of becoming a permanent and pensionable teacher are significant. Permanent employment offers job security, pension benefits, and better opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
By transitioning to PNP terms, intern teachers can enjoy these benefits, contributing to their personal growth and the overall improvement of Kenya’s education system.
Conclusion
The confirmation of intern teachers to PNP terms by TSC is an essential step in strengthening Kenya’s education sector. Despite the budgetary challenges and delays, the commission remains committed to completing this process.
While intern teachers will have to wait until January 2025 for their confirmation, the long-term benefits of permanent employment make this wait worthwhile.
The government’s support and ongoing efforts to address the financial constraints will ensure that the confirmation process is eventually completed, providing intern teachers with the stability and security they deserve. By understanding the context and staying informed about developments, intern teachers can better navigate this transition period and look forward to a brighter future in their teaching careers.
