The domiciling of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) in primary schools was a blessing in disguise, a Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) official has said.
Siaya Branch KNUT Executive Secretary, Alex Dunga said the union lobbied for the JSS to be in primary schools, noting that it gave teachers a chance to be promoted.
He also noted that some primary school teachers whom have degrees were seconded to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to teach in the JSS.
“Those teachers will finally be employed by the commission to teach the secondary school students, paving way for the Commission to employ others to replace them” Dunga noted.
The trade unionist was speaking to Education News at the Gusii stadium in Kisii County during the 19th Nyanza region Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (KEPSHA) annual conference launched by Kisii County Governor, Simba Arati.
He stated the placing of the secondary schools in primary will enable the government allocate funds to build more classrooms, laboratories and libraries in primary schools to enhance the standard of education.
“School heads in primary are now Principals handling millions of capitation sent by the government to the schools. The government gives Ksh 1,400 per pupil and Ksh 15,000 per secondary school student,” Dunga told the Education News.
The official, who is National Executive Council (NEC) member appealed to Sub County Directors of Education (SDEs) to ensure the funds channeled to the schools are utilized well and accounted for to benefits learners.
Kisii County KEPSHA Chairman, Hezron Onsoti said the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) is good and appealed to the government to employ more teachers and equip schools to enhance the education.
“The CBC has taken off well. We urged the government to ensure it has enough teachers and teaching materials to make it more successful,” Onsoti said.
Echoing his sentiments, Kerongorori SDA Primary School Head Teacher, Joash Omoke said the CBC will aid the government to realize its development goals.
He noted primary schools have enough land for expansion and lauded the government’s decision to place the JSS in the schools, terming it wise and timely.
“I urge the government to at least deploy three or more teachers to teach the JSS which has 14 subjects,” Omoke said.
The Head Teacher noted that teachers teaching at the Junior Secondary School took two teaching subjects at the universities and that more teachers are required to teach the rest of the subjects.
By Emmanuel Gwakoi
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