Ndindi Nyoro, the chairperson of the National Assembly's Budget and Appropriations Committee, has assured Kenyans that the government has secured KSh 18.7 billion to employ Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers on a permanent and pensionable basis.
His statement comes amid rising concerns after National Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi suggested that the plan to hire JSS teachers might face delays due to financial constraints.
Nyoro made these remarks during a working tour in Nandi County, where he accompanied President William Ruto. His comments were aimed at clarifying the government's commitment to education, especially in light of recent debates on budget allocations for critical sectors like education.
Nyoro's reassurances are significant, as they underscore the government's commitment to the education sector. The allocation of KSh 18.7 billion for JSS teachers was specifically earmarked to transition JSS interns into permanent teaching roles once the necessary administrative processes are completed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
This move is expected to provide much-needed stability to the education system, which has undergone significant changes with the introduction of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
According to Nyoro, the government's intention to hire 46,000 JSS teachers remains strong, and the funding for this plan is already in place. This stands in contrast to CS Mbadi's recent remarks, which raised concerns that the hiring process might be delayed due to a lack of funds.
Despite budget cuts resulting from the recent rejection of the Finance Bill 2024, Nyoro emphasized that the funds set aside for hiring JSS teachers are secure.
He explained that the allocation for education was carefully planned, and the government remains committed to ensuring that this important sector is not affected by financial challenges.
"Yes, there have been budget cuts, but the money for JSS teachers is safe. The government has prioritized this area because education is crucial for the future of our country," Nyoro stated.
His words come as a relief to many parents, teachers, and education stakeholders who were concerned about the potential impact of budget constraints on the hiring of JSS teachers.
CS John Mbadi's remarks regarding the financial state of the government had sparked a public debate, with many questioning whether the hiring of JSS teachers would be postponed.
Mbadi had suggested that a cash crunch could hinder the implementation of the plan, raising doubts about whether the government could fulfill its promise to employ these teachers permanently.
In response, Nyoro took the opportunity to set the record straight. He dismissed Mbadi's claims, insisting that the government had already allocated the necessary funds and that the hiring plan would proceed as scheduled.
"The money is there. Pesa iko. We have made sure that the funds for JSS teachers are available, and the recruitment process will go on as planned," Nyoro assured.
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