BY PETER KARANJA
A total 4,005 teachers who are currently on internship can breath a sigh of relief after the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) extended their c0ntract for one year.
The teachers’ employer also announced that it will be recruiting an additional 1995 teaching interns for both primary and secondary schools for the academic year beginning in January through 2022.
Of the 1,995 internship positions, 1,035 will be recruited to join primary schools while 957 will be joining secondary schools across the country.
The recruitment will bring to 6,000 the total number of interns currently contacted by the government.
Those interested in the internship posts must be Kenyan citizens and registered with the teachers’ commission.
Applications done electronically
Thousands of jobless teachers have began applying for the internship positions which many say have become very competitive.
Those seeking the positions are required to produce either a P1 certificate for primary teachers and a minimum diploma in education certificate for those eyeing secondary schools.
Applications should be submitted electronically via the TSC website no later than Monday, September 27, 2021.
“The remaining 4,005 posts will be filled by the serving teacher interns recruited in 2021 who were not absorbed into the permanent and pensionable terms of service as advertised in the previous recruitment. Details of the distribution of the posts are available in the TSC website,” TSC said.
Ksh15,000 salary
According to the announcement, interns attached to primary schools will be paid a monthly stipend Ksh15,000 while those in secondary schools will be paid Ksh20,000.
The internship vacancies are expected to attract many applicants as many consider it a gateway to permanent TSC employment which has eluded many.
Mwanahabari spoke to a few unemployed teachers on the matter.
“I will definitely apply this time around. I have 90 points, which I think puts me in a good position. If I get it, I will abandon my current teaching job at a private school where I am paid Ksh20,000 per month – Unemployed Teacher James Oluoch,” told Mwanahabari.co.ke.
I am not applying
On his part, Winnie said that she will not be applying for the internship despite the fact that she has 95 points arguing that there are thousands of unemployed teachers who have between 90 and 95 points.
“I would rather wait until I am sure I have strong points and little competition before I can apply for the internship or any teaching job in Kenya. I have attended over seven interviews. I think I have had enough,” she said.