JSS teachers suspend nationwide protests

Heads of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) have agreed to suspend their ongoing demonstrations to allow for the passage of the state budget on Thursday.

The decision was preceded by a series of successful negotiations with the Labour and Education Committees of the National Assembly, which led to the acceptance of some of their demands and their subsequent submission to the Budget Committee.

The teachers say they are acting in good faith and are confident that Parliament’s cooperation with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) will result in compliance and fulfillment of their demands.

The JSS management has subsequently asked all teaching trainees to return to teaching from Monday, June 10, 2024, and has also pointed out that they will return to teaching as volunteers and not as interns.

“Teaching is an honourable profession and we often make sacrifices for the future of our country, but we have shown the TSC and the government that they cannot take advantage of our caring nature to exploit or enslave us,” said JSS national spokesperson Bonface Omari.

They added that protests would resume if the TSC did not meet the agreed conditions by July 5, 2024.

They also warned that any misappropriation of funds by the Commission would lead to a return to demonstrations.

“We are aware that cases are pending in court. We have filed an appeal. This should not affect the confirmation of the teachers. We are aware that the internship has been declared illegal,” said JSS General Secretary Daniel Mureithi.