Intern teachers across the country are expressing deep disappointment following the latest communication issued by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) regarding their employment status.
The teachers, who were recruited last year to ease the staffing crisis in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), had been optimistic that their one-year contracts would be upgraded to permanent and pensionable terms.
However, the new circular from TSC has directed all intern teachers whose contracts are ending to renew their internship terms for an additional year— a move that has triggered an uproar among the affected educators.
According to the disgruntled teachers, many of them joined the internship program with the belief that it was a transitional pathway to permanent employment.
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After serving diligently for a year, they had anticipated confirmation, especially amid repeated public assurances that the government was working to absorb more teachers into stable positions.
The directive to extend the internship instead of offering permanent terms has therefore dashed their expectations, igniting a wave of online protests.
Teachers took to various social media platforms on Monday, expressing frustration over what they termed as exploitation and unfair labour practices.
They argued that despite handling full teaching workloads and responsibilities similar to permanently employed teachers, they continue to earn stipends that many say cannot sustain their basic needs.
Several teachers’ unions and lobby groups have also weighed in, demanding that TSC reconsider the decision, noting that the constant renewal of internship contracts demoralizes educators and undermines the quality of education at JSS.
As tension continues to rise, intern teachers are now calling on the Ministry of Education and Parliament to intervene and ensure that the commission honours earlier commitments to progressively absorb them into permanent and pensionable terms.
Many insist they will not sign renewed internship contracts unless a clear roadmap toward permanent employment is issued.
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