Primary Headteachers Continue Receiving JSS Interns as TSC Rolls Out New Internship Terms
Primary Headteachers Continue Receiving JSS Interns as TSC Rolls Out New Internship Terms
Since most junior schools are hosted within primary school compounds, the primary headteachers are serving as acting principals, overseeing the reporting and deployment of the new interns.
Primary school headteachers across Kenya are still welcoming newly recruited Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers as schools prepare to reopen for the January 2026 term.
The reporting exercise, which began last week, is continuing in many counties as the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) works to ensure that all junior schools are fully staffed before the first term begins.
24,000 JSS Intern Teachers Recruited
In September 2025, TSC advertised 24,000 internship vacancies for junior schools. The posts attracted teachers with Diploma and Degree qualifications in secondary education.
After document verification in November, successful applicants were issued one-year internship contracts running from January 1 to December 31, 2026.
TSC Clarifies Internship Is Not Automatic Employment
The deployment comes amid new remarks by TSC Acting CEO Eveleen Mitei, who clarified that internship does not guarantee automatic permanent employment.
She explained that the Teacher Internship Programme is designed to help newly qualified and unemployed teachers gain practical classroom experience through mentorship, coaching, and hands-on teaching, not to offer immediate permanent jobs.
10,000 Current JSS Interns Get Contract Extension
TSC is also finalizing contract renewals for 10,000 currently serving JSS interns.
In a circular dated November 27, 2025, TSC Director of Staffing Antonina Lentoijoni confirmed that all serving interns have been granted a 12-month contract extension, running from January 1 to December 31, 2026, in line with the Teacher Internship Policy and Guidelines (2019).
Interns were required to accept or decline the extension by December 20. Those who accepted had to sign new contracts and submit fresh personal accident insurance covers, while those who declined were instructed to return all school property and clear with their headteachers.
Two Years Required Before Permanent Employment
President William Ruto has stated that intern teachers must serve for two years before they can be considered for permanent and pensionable employment.
This means interns will need to complete the current contract and renew for another year to qualify for permanent recruitment.
How Much Do JSS Interns Earn?
JSS intern teachers receive a monthly stipend of KSh 20,000, but after statutory deductions such as SHIF, Housing Levy, and NSSF, their take-home pay averages about KSh 17,000.
More JSS Teacher Recruitment Coming in 2026
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has announced that more JSS teachers will be recruited next year to address the ongoing teacher shortage.
He revealed that 16,000 additional JSS teachers will be hired later in 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen junior secondary education nationwide.
