Ruto Announces New Path to Permanent Employment for Intern Teachers
Speaking during an interview at the Kitui State Lodge, President William Ruto declared that all intern teachers will be confirmed after serving for two years, marking a major shift in Kenya’s education employment framework. The announcement provides long-awaited clarity for thousands of Junior Secondary School (JSS) and primary intern teachers who have been demanding job security.
Ruto stated that the two-year internship model will now serve as the new structured pathway into permanent and pensionable (PNP) employment under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). According to the president, this system will ensure fairness, consistency, and proper evaluation before absorption into permanent roles.
Why the Government Introduced the Two-Year Internship Sys
President Ruto explained that when he assumed office, Kenya faced a massive teacher shortage, particularly in junior secondary schools following the roll-out of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). The internship program was therefore designed to rapidly bridge that gap while giving trained teachers valuable classroom experience.
He emphasized that more than 300,000 trained teachers remain unemployed across the country. The internship program enables the government to place more teachers into classrooms without immediately adding unsustainable payroll costs.
Ruto insisted the system is not meant to punish teachers but to create a fair, structured recruitment path that mirrors many public sector internship policies.
Automatic Confirmation After Two Years
Addressing concerns raised by unions and intern teachers, Ruto reiterated that confirmation after two years is guaranteed and non-negotiable.
“Every intern teacher who completes two years of service will automatically transition to permanent and pensionable terms,” he assured.
This announcement brings relief to the 46,000 JSS intern teachers currently working under year-long renewable contracts. Many have expressed uncertainty about their future as they await full absorption.
Government Targets 100,000 New Teaching Jobs
President Ruto further revealed that the government is working on a long-term plan to hire more teachers and strengthen learning outcomes. As part of this plan, the administration aims to create up to 100,000 new teaching positions by 2026 to fully stabilise the CBC transition and reduce student-teacher ratios.
The president acknowledged the frustrations many interns face, especially regarding low pay. He assured them that the government is working to resolve the financial bottlenecks affecting the TSC and to secure adequate funding for mass confirmation.
Teacher Unions React
While teacher unions have welcomed the president’s commitment, some continue to push for a shorter internship period, arguing for one-year confirmation due to the rising cost of living. However, Ruto maintained that the two-year structure is the most sustainable approach for long-term staffing and budgeting.
A New Dawn for Intern Teachers
President Ruto’s announcement marks a turning point for Kenya’s education sector. If fully implemented, the two-year confirmation policy will significantly reduce teacher unemployment, strengthen classrooms nationwide, and give thousands of young educators a clear and predictable pathway to stable employment.
