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Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi revealed that the government is unable to employ Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers on permanent and pensionable terms due to financial constraints.
This situation has left many in the education sector concerned about the future of these teachers and the impact on the quality of education.
Mbadi's statement highlights a significant budget shortfall that has created a challenge for the government. The shortfall, which amounts to approximately Sh13 billion, stems from the collapse of the Finance Bill 2024.
This bill was expected to provide crucial funding, but its failure has led to a budget deficit of Sh346 billion. As a result, the government finds itself in a difficult position, unable to fulfill its plans for hiring additional teachers.
The plan to employ JSS teachers on permanent terms was part of a broader initiative to address the shortage of educators in the country. Initially, the government had earmarked Sh18.3 billion to convert the internships of 46,000 teachers into permanent positions. However, due to the financial shortfall, this plan has been put on hold.
The situation has been further complicated by a legal challenge. In June, the Court of Appeal issued a temporary suspension of the Employment and Labour Relations Court's orders, which had mandated the conversion of internship positions to permanent and pensionable terms.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) argued that the financial implications of this order were not accounted for in the budget. The case is still ongoing, and until a final decision is reached, JSS teachers will remain in their current internship roles.
The challenges faced by the government have also raised concerns about the impact on education standards. With a shortage of permanent teachers, there are worries that the quality of education might suffer.
Parents and education stakeholders have expressed their frustration, warning that the lack of financial support could lead to a crisis in the education sector.
The government had planned to address this issue by recruiting an additional 20,000 JSS teachers. However, due to the financial constraints, this plan has also been stalled. The lack of resources means that the government cannot proceed with the recruitment or address the salary adjustments for existing teachers.
In his statement, Mbadi emphasized that the government is struggling to raise the necessary funds to cover teachers' salaries and other related costs.
He acknowledged that the financial difficulties have made it impossible to address the concerns of JSS teachers and ensure their employment on permanent terms.
The education sector in Kenya has faced numerous challenges in recent years, and the current financial situation adds to the difficulties.
Teachers and education advocates have called on the government to find solutions to ensure that the education system remains robust and that teachers receive the support they need.
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