The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), Trans- Nzoia branch, has raised serious concerns over what it terms as ongoing mistreatment and marginalization of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers across the county.
In a letter dated June 2, 2025, addressed to the County Director of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Kitale, the union outlined several grievances facing JSS teachers and made urgent demands for immediate action.
The letter details a growing crisis in the education sector, highlighting how JSS teachers are being subjected to poor working conditions, discrimination and lack of institutional support in schools across Trans- Nzoia County.
According to KUPPET, these challenges are affecting the mental health, morale and effectiveness of the teachers, thereby compromising the quality of education for learners.
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Among the key issues raised are rampant instances of show cause letters issued by Heads of Institutions (HOIs) without valid grounds or proper engagement and inhumane working conditions where teachers are forced to operate in unfurnished rooms without basic resources to prepare for their lessons.
The letter also points out the absence of basic staff welfare such as tea during breaks, lunch or even inclusive access to staffrooms yet teachers are still expected to perform at high levels.
Furthermore, the union accuses some primary school staff of isolating and verbally abusing JSS teachers and excluding them from planning and participating in school events. Misuse of capitation funds intended for JSS is also a major concern, with allegations that some HOIs divert funds towards their personal luxuries, while learners and teachers lack essential learning and co-curricular resources.
KUPPET also highlighted the increasing financial burden on JSS teachers, many of whom are reportedly forced to use their own money to purchase learning materials, transport students for contests and cater for basic classroom needs.
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The cumulative effect of these challenges, the union warns, is a rising mental health crisis among JSS teachers, characterized by demoralization, isolation and even burnout. It cautions that unless immediate measures are taken, the education system risks losing dedicated professionals ultimately, affecting learners’ outcomes.
In response to these issues, KUPPET has made the following urgent requests to the Teachers Service Commission:
- Immediate investigation and intervention to stop harassment and restore the professional dignity of JSS teachers.
- Issuance of clear guidelines to Heads of Institutions on fair use of capitation funds and inclusion of JSS teachers in decision-making and welfare matters.
- Organization of structured sub-county meetings for JSS teachers to ventilate, share experiences, and find lasting solutions with the help of school resources.
- Deployment of quality assurance officers to assess the actual learning environment and audit the use of capitation funds in JSS institutions.
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The union emphasized its readiness to work with the TSC through joint forums, psychosocial support initiatives, and engagement with HOIs to address the pressing issues.
KUPPET urged the TSC to treat the matter with the seriousness and urgency it deserves, warning that continued neglect could result in long term damage to both teachers and learners in Trans- Nzoia County.
By Benedict Aoya
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