Serving TSC Intern Teachers Receive Extension Of Internship Letters

Serving Intern Teachers whose contracts were extended have started receiving letters for extension of internship. According to one of the letters seen by this author, due to interruption caused by Covid-19 pandemic, the contract has been extended for a period of one (1) year.

“Due to interruption caused by Covid-19 pandemic, I am pleased to inform you that your internship program is hereby extended for a period of one (1) year with effect from 1st January, 2021 to 31st December, 2021,” stated the letter from TSC County director.

The letter further instructs that the intern teacher will continue to offer services in the current station.

The good news is that effective January 2021, intern teachers will have their stipends increased from 10,000 to 15,000 and 15,000 to 20,000 for primary school and secondary school interns, respectively.

“This is not a remunerative engagement. However teacher interns attached to Primary schools will be eligible for a monthly stipend of Kshs. 15,000/, while those attached to Secondary schools will be eligible for a monthly stipend of KShs. 20,000,” sated TSC CEO Nancy Macharia late last year.

It is important to note that stipend paid to intern teachers will be subject to statutory deductions where applicable.

DISCONTINUATION/TERMINATION OF INTERNSHIP 

Generally, unsatisfactory performance or failure to conform to the standards of conduct prescribed for the Internship may lead to termination of the internship at the initiative of the Commission or an Officer or Agent of the Commission.

Specifically, An Intern may be discontinued from the programme on any of the following grounds;

1. Any serious breach of the duties and obligations which in the view of the hosting Institution would justify separation before the end of the period of internship;
2. Absence from the hosting institution continuously for two (2) or more days without permission or reasonable cause;
3. Engage in unethical conduct such as but not limited to immoral behaviour, professional misconduct and being of infamous conduct as stipulated in the CORT.
4. Performance is not satisfactory and not in line with the relevant provisions of the Code of Regulations and Code of Conduct & Ethics for teachers;
5. Is charged in a court of law with a criminal offence;
6. Wilfully destroys the property of the hosting institution;
7. If at any time a hosting institution sustains a loss that is attributable to the gross negligence;
8. Refuses to obey lawful instructions.
9. The Commission may terminate the interns contract for whatever reason by giving thirty (30) days written notice.

In any event that the Internship may be discontinued by the Intern, he/she will;

1. Submit a written letter of resignation/ termination of the contract to the Commission through the Supervisor by giving thirty (30) days Written Notice.
2. Giving a two (2) weeks’ Written Notice before taking up employment offered to him/her before the expiry of the agreed internship period.

Note that, the Commission reserves the right to terminate the contract with an intern at any point during the internship period.

Variation 

The Commission may vary or terminate it altogether to conform to or in accordance with;-

1. Government policy;
2. Level of budget allocation.
3. Any fiscal measures the government or the Commission may put in place for the financial years relating to the Internship Programme.