In Kenya, thousands of graduate teachers take up internship roles each year under the Teacher Internship Programme initiated by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). This programme provides fresh teacher graduates with an opportunity to gain practical classroom experience while awaiting permanent and pensionable employment.
However, while the internship serves as an entry point into the teaching profession, the monthly earnings of these intern teachers vary depending on the level they are assigned to — Primary, Junior Secondary (JSS), or Senior Secondary schools.
For Primary School Intern Teachers, the monthly stipend is currently set at Kshs 15,000. This amount is subject to statutory deductions such as the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), which slightly reduces the net amount the intern receives. These deductions usually bring the take-home pay to approximately Kshs 13,000.
Intern teachers in Junior Secondary Schools, who are expected to have higher academic qualifications such as a Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Education, are paid a slightly higher stipend. Their gross monthly pay stands at Kshs 20,000. After statutory deductions, they typically take home around Kshs 17,000 to Kshs 18,000.
As for those posted to Senior Secondary Schools, the stipend remains similar to that of Junior Secondary teachers — also pegged at Kshs 20,000. This parity is because both JSS and Senior Secondary levels require teachers with specialized subject knowledge and higher professional training.
Despite teaching more advanced content and possibly handling larger workloads, Senior Secondary interns still earn the same as their JSS counterparts under the current guidelines.
These internship stipends are not considered salaries but rather a token or allowance meant to support the interns during their one-year engagement. Interns are not entitled to other employment benefits such as housing, commuter, or hardship allowances, which permanent teachers receive.
However, the experience gained during this period is vital for career progression and often increases the chances of future absorption on permanent and pensionable terms.
In conclusion, while intern teachers play a vital role in Kenya’s education system — especially with the ongoing implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) — their remuneration remains modest.
The TSC has continued to advocate for increased funding to enhance intern pay and improve the programme. As the demand for qualified teachers rises, there are ongoing calls from teacher unions and stakeholders to review and improve the welfare of intern teachers across all levels.
