The Teachers Service Commission’s hiring of nearly 60,000 interns may lead to the requirement of paying them full salaries for their service period. This revelation surfaced after the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) found the commission in violation of fair labor practices.
The interns, who are qualified and possess teaching licenses, were placed in internship positions instead of being employed in regular teaching roles.
The court’s decision has raised uncertainties regarding the fate of Junior Secondary Schools, particularly with schools set to reopen for the second term in just two weeks.
These teachers have played a crucial role in implementing the Competency-Based Curriculum at the Junior Secondary School level.
In his ruling, Justice Byrum Ongaya emphasized that the commission’s mandate is limited to hiring only qualified and registered teachers, not engaging student-teachers or interns. This ruling casts doubt on the future of the internship program and may necessitate changes in the commission’s hiring practices.
“The respondents have not exhibited statutory regulatory or policy arrangements that would entitle the first respondent (TSC) to employ interns. Ideally, the first respondent should employ registered teachers upon terms that are not discriminatory and to meet the optimal staffing needs in public schools,” Justice Ongaya said.
