CS John Mbadi Announces Confirmation of 20,000 Intern Teachers

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has announced that the government will allocate KSh 4.9 billion to facilitate the conversion of 20,000 intern teachers to permanent and pensionable terms beginning in January 2027.

Speaking while presenting the 2026/27 Budget Statement in Parliament on 11th June 2026, Mbadi said the funding forms part of a broader effort by the Kenya Kwanza administration to address teacher shortages, improve learning outcomes, and strengthen the country’s education sector.

The CS also revealed that an additional 24,000 intern teachers recruited by the government will be transitioned to permanent, pensionable terms from July 2027, signaling a major commitment to expanding the teaching workforce.

 “Mr. Speaker, I am proposing 4.9 billion to be provided for conversion of 20,000 intern teachers into permanent and pensionable from January 2027. Further, the newly recruited 24,000 intern teachers will be converted into permanent and pensionable terms in July 2027,” said Mbadi

KSh 4.9 Billion Set Aside for Teacher Confirmation

While outlining the government’s education spending plans, Mbadi told Parliament that the Treasury had made provisions to absorb thousands of teachers currently serving under internship arrangements.

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The government has in recent years relied on intern teachers to bridge staffing gaps in public schools, particularly following the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and the transition of learners into Junior Secondary School.

The Treasury allocation is aimed at ensuring the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has the resources required to absorb the teachers into the permanent payroll beginning in the next financial cycle.

Mbadi further disclosed that another batch of intern teachers would also benefit from the government’s long-term employment plan.

“Further, the newly recruited 24,000 intern teachers will be converted into permanent and pensionable terms in July 2027,” added Mbadi.

Additional Funding for Intern Teachers and Staffing Gaps

Beyond the conversion programme, the National Treasury has proposed an allocation of KSh 8.2 billion to support intern teachers across the country.

Mbadi stated that the funding is intended to help address teacher shortages while improving learning outcomes in schools.

According to Mbadi, the Kenya Kwaza government targets to employ 116,000 teachers by 2027, a record that no government has set in Keny.

“In this respect, I am proposing an allocation of 8.2 billion for intern teachers to address staffing gaps and improving learning outcomes.  Mr. Speaker, this government, by the time we reach next year, we will have employed 116,000, if you put it in terms of averages, over 20,000 teachers per year. There is no other government that has ever employed more than 10,000 teachers per year. This government is employing on average 20,000 teachers per year, said Mbadi

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Key Government Allocation on Education Sector

Item	Allocation (KSh)
Free Primary Education	7 billion
Free Day Secondary Education	54.6 billion
Junior Secondary School Capitation	30.7 billion
National Examinations Administration	9.9 billion
Payment of Exam Marking Arrears to Teachers	1.5 billion
School Feeding Programme	3 billion
Conversion of 20,000 Intern Teachers to Permanent and Pensionable Terms (Jan 2027)	4.9 billion
Intern Teachers Programme	8.2 billion
Primary and Secondary School Infrastructure	4.1 billion
Construction and Equipping of TVET Centres	2.1 billion
Kenya Primary Education Equity and Learning Programme	7.1 billion

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