Nairobi — Ninety teachers will be employed in each constituency next month.

The 18,900 teachers will get a three-year renewable contract, education minister Sam Ongeri said on Thursday. "Every year, some of them will be given permanent staff positions by the Teachers Service Commission."

Speaking at Ekerenyo in Nyamira North District during a prize-giving and education day, the minister thanked the Kenya National Union of Teachers for withdrawing a case that barred the ministry from recruiting teachers on contract, saying the move will ease the acute shortage of teachers in schools.

At Ekerenyo, he was accompanied by Culture assistant minister Wilfred Ombui and Nyanza provincial director of education, Mr Geoffrey Cherongis.

Prof Ongeri also assured P1 A-level teachers that they will get a salary increment next month.

"TSC is working on the grading of the P1 A-level holders after receiving Sh1.4 billion for their promotion. But let me assure them that they will get a salary increment in August," the minister said.

Teachers will get the remaining 20 per cent of their salary increment by July next year, the minister said, and thanked union officials for calling off a strike threat over the impasse.

Prof Ongeri and Mr Ombui expressed concern over the poor performance of schools in the area in national exams and called for a lasting solution to the problem.