Committee Appeals for Ksh17 Billion to Permanently Hire Intern Teachers Despite Court Order

The National Assembly Education Committee has asked the government to allocate more funds to employ intern teachers on permanent and pensionable terms despite the Court of Appeal ruling that put on hold such plans.

In a meeting led by the Budget and Appropriation Committee Chairperson Ndindi Nyoro on July 20, all the Departmental Committee Chairs highlighted various critical areas that need funding for continued operations.

The Committee on Education represented by Mandera South MP Abdul Haro on behalf of the Chairperson, reiterated the Committee’s commitment to ensure that the 46,000 intern teachers are converted into permanent and pensionable terms in the 2024/25 financial year.

Haro called on the Budget Committee to consider allocating the full resource requirement of Ksh31 billion.

“Chair, the Teacher’s Service Commission (TSC) is committed to confirming 46,000 teachers, on permanent and pensionable terms. They have been allocated Ksh13.4 billion for this and require an additional Ksh17.6 billion,” Haro said.

On the allocation for the national examinations’ invigilation and management, Haro proposed a reinstatement of Ksh5.1 billion to ensure that the national examinations scheduled for this year are administered smoothly.

Court Ruling on TSC Hiring Intern Teachers

The Court suspended the orders issued by the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) requiring TSC to convert the internship to permanent and pensionable terms.

This ruling essentially meant that the TSC has prevailed, leaving the affected individuals with no choice but to continue serving as interns until the legal case filed by the Dr. Nancy Macharia-led commission is resolved.

In its application, TSC stated that the orders by Justice ELRC disrupted its plans, as the funds needed to hire intern teachers on permanent and pensionable terms were not allocated in the budget.

“The rights of all learners in public schools underpinned under Articles 43 and 53 of the Constitution are on the verge of being violated as the Commission has no financial resources to on-board the 46,000 on permanent and pensionable terms and conditions,” argued TSC lawyer Allan Sitima.

Also Read: Blow to JSS Teachers as Court Gives Way Forward on Permanent Jobs

Health Committee on Intern Medics

Endebess MP (Dr.) Robert Pukose, the Health Committee Chair, made recommendations on reallocations in various sectors.

Pukose assured the Members that despite the austerity measures, the employment of medical interns is a top priority in this financial year.

He appealed to the committee to consider allocating an additional Ksh1.49 billion, to meet the full requirement of Ksh5.2 billion for this process.

Additionally, Pukose noted that the return-to-work formula agreed upon between the National Government and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) and executed on the 8th of May 2024, intends to be actualized.

Also Read: Intern Teachers to Enjoy Permanent and Pensionable Terms

Building of Constituency Innovation Hubs

The Communication, Information and Innovation Chairperson John Kiarie notified the committee that despite the reduction of the allocation to Constituency Innovation Hubs from Ksh377 million to zero, the construction of the hubs shall continue through the new World Bank project, which is allocated Ksh3.1 billion in this financial year.

“Key among the envisaged targets for the project is to establish 290 Digital Village Smart Hubs and Studios, to ensure that we keep developing the creative sector and provide the youth with avenues to generate income,” Kiarie assured the Committee.

Further, the Chairperson for Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation Committee Kangogo Bowen while making his submission, proposed some amendments to the allocations in the Supplementary Estimates to the three State Departments under the committee’s purview.

The committee also heard from the committees on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives; Tourism and Wildlife; and Environment, Forestry and Mining.

Decreased Funding to Affect Developmental Projects

Some of the submissions also noted with concern that there were many developmental projects that were streamlined for this Financial Year or are ongoing, but may not be achievable, owing to the decreased allocations to the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Further, if the MDAs that have contractual obligations are stopped, this may attract penalties, and also lead to delayed completion of the projects.

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