Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers in Embu County downed their tools o Monday to protest delays in their confirmation into permanent and pensionable employment terms.

Tens of angry interns demonstrated in Embu Town on Monday and vowed not to resume teaching until their demand for permanent employment is addressed.

The teachers marched through the town waving placards and singing solidarity songs, while condemning what they termed as poor working conditions and low pay.

“The Ksh17,000 we get per month is an insult given our training and workload,” said Felister Gatambu. She explained that the teachers would not return to classrooms unless their employment status is regularized.

Another teacher, James Kinyua, said they would accept nothing short of permanent and pensionable terms. He noted that 709 JSS intern teachers in Embu have remained on internship for two years without confirmation despite delivering essential teaching services.

The teachers also criticised the Court of Appeal for overturning a High Court ruling that had previously declared the internship programme unlawful, saying it had raised and then dashed their hopes of regularisation.

They further faulted the head of state for issuing employment confirmation letters in public functions, arguing that recruitment and confirmation is the sole mandate of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and should remain free from political interference. They accused him of using such gestures as political rewards, undermining institutional integrity.

The educators also called for greater professional autonomy within schools and complained their role under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is not fully recognised. They raised concern over the current structure where pre-primary, primary and junior secondary schools are managed under a single administration, often led by primary school head teachers, which they say has created operational conflicts.

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Embu branch pledged support for the teachers, promising to continue advocating for improved welfare, dignity and working conditions.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Samuel Waititu