The Kenya Junior School Teachers’ Association (KEJUSTA) has intensified pressure on the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), demanding stronger representation and protection of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers as debate over the future of Comprehensive Schools continues across the country.
In a strongly worded statement dated May 15, 2026, KEJUSTA warned that JSS teachers are increasingly concerned about their professional identity, autonomy, and career progression within the Competency-Based Education CBE curriculum framework.
The association said JSS teachers joined the education system as professionally trained post-primary educators with the expectation that their roles and professional independence would be safeguarded.
According to the statement issued by KEJUSTA Secretary General Paul Wakhungu, teachers are now questioning whether they still have adequate representation within KUPPET as discussions on Comprehensive Schools gain momentum.
KEJUSTA raised concerns that JSS structures could end up being influenced or controlled by systems dominated by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), a move the association fears may undermine the autonomy of Junior Secondary education.
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The association argued that teachers naturally align themselves where they feel represented, defended, strategically secure, and institutionally recognized.
“Should the push for Comprehensive Schools succeed without a clear autonomous structure for Junior Secondary Schools, why would JSS teachers remain in KUPPET while operating under systems increasingly influenced, managed, and controlled within KNUT-dominated structures?” the statement posed.
KEJUSTA further cautioned that failure by KUPPET to visibly and aggressively defend the interests of JSS teachers could force many members to reconsider their future within the union.
The association called on KUPPET leadership at all levels to take an active role in all JSS policy discussions and decision-making forums. It also urged the union to publicly defend the autonomy and unique professional identity of Junior Secondary teachers.
Additionally, KEJUSTA demanded support for legal and constitutional efforts aimed at protecting the professional future of JSS teachers, transparent engagement with members regarding Comprehensive Schools and protection of career progression, deployment, promotion pathways, and working conditions.
The latest statement comes at a time when JSS teachers across Kenya have continued to push for permanent and pensionable employment terms, better career structures and administrative autonomy.
The debate over the management and structure of Junior Secondary Schools has become one of the most contentious issues under the CBE system, with unions and teacher associations increasingly taking opposing positions on the future direction of education reforms in Kenya.
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