As schools resume after the mid-term break, concerns are growing over the employment status of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers, financial difficulties and student safety.
The planned permanent appointment of more than 46,000 trainee teachers this month may not materialise due to planned budget cuts in the education sector.
While the government has allocated Sh18 billion to employ interns from July, uncertainty prevails over the plan, leading to further delays in their permanent appointments.
The Teaching Services Commission (TSC) had planned to make the interns permanent by January 2025, but pressure from MPs pushed for earlier confirmation following protests by teachers demanding better working conditions.
Financial challenges are also becoming important. Schools are grappling with delays in the provision of capitation funds by the government, compounding the financial crisis in all educational institutions.
Kenya Secondary School Principals Association (KESSHA) president Willie Kuria said many parents were sending their children back to school without paying school fees, worsening the financial burden.
Benson Manoo, principal of Machakos School, echoed this concern, reporting that while most students have returned, many still have outstanding fees due to financial stress stemming from the recent floods and protests. Security remains a pressing issue.
The ongoing anti-government protests in several parts of the country forced schools to postpone reopening dates and extend mid-term holidays beyond the mandatory three days. Many boarding schools are letting students out early due to security concerns related to protests against the Finance Bill 2024.
In light of these challenges, school management is requested to be considerate of parents and to recognise their financial difficulties, particularly following recent events which have significantly impacted livelihoods.
Source (https://teachersupdates.news/jss-teachers-face-employment-delays-as-schools-struggle-with-finances/)