Relief as Ruto Announces Progress in Hiring Junior Secondary School Teachers.

President William Ruto has announced that the plan to convert Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers to permanent status is progressing as scheduled.

Speaking on Friday, the President assured that despite the rejection of the Finance Bill 2024, the government is exploring alternative ways to fund the initiative.

The government had initially planned to employ 46,000 teachers, currently serving as interns, at a cost of Sh18.3 billion. The rejection of the bill created a budget shortfall of Sh346 billion. However, Ruto stated that the government will only borrow Sh169 billion of this amount.

Addressing the nation from State House, Ruto mentioned that the government will adjust its budget to fulfill the promise of hiring the teachers.

Following the rejection of the Finance Bill, the government has extensively consulted to find a balance between borrowing funds and implementing austerity measures.

“We will propose budget cuts amounting to Sh177 billion and borrow the remaining amount,” he said.

The President noted that this borrowing will increase the budget deficit from 3.3% to 4.6% of GDP, which is still lower than the previous year. The funds raised through both austerity measures and borrowing will support critical government programs.

“These funds will be allocated to essential services that Kenyans have urged me to protect,” Ruto said, citing the hiring of JSS teachers and medical interns, among other initiatives.