The Kenya Junior School Teachers Association (KEJUSTA) has strongly opposed the recent renaming of the Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) to the Kenya Comprehensive School Heads Association (KECSHA).
In a press statement issued by the KEJUSTA Secretariat, the association termed the move unconstitutional and a direct contravention of the Kenyan Constitution.
KEJUSTA said the change follows the recommendations of the 2023 Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER), which it claims lack a legal framework to support the establishment of such a body.
According to KEJUSTA, the creation of KECSHA amounts to what they described as a “comprehensive shenanigan,” insisting that no existing law recognizes the new structure.
The association accused those behind the move of focusing on financial gains rather than improving the quality of education in Kenya.
“We, as Junior Secondary School teachers, reject this renaming in totality and term it the ‘Joke of the Year’ from people who are chasing after the capitation and not the quality of education,” read part of the statement.
The association reiterated its call for the autonomy of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and vowed to continue pushing for the recognition and confirmation of intern teachers currently serving in schools.
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KEJUSTA argued that JSS deserves to operate independently with its own management structures rather than being lumped together under primary school administration.
The teachers’ body expressed disappointment that education stakeholders appear to be ignoring the concerns of JSS educators, who have been vocal about challenges facing the new system. They said that merging JSS with primary schools undermines the progress made in implementing the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and risks lowering educational standards.
KEJUSTA also criticized the government for what it termed as attempts to silence teachers’ voices through administrative changes instead of addressing the core issues affecting the education sector.
The statement ended with a rallying call for solidarity among JSS teachers, urging them to remain steadfast in their fight for fair treatment and professional recognition.
“We remain firm in the push for the autonomy of JSS and continue to demand the confirmation of serving intern teachers,” the statement concluded.
By Kimwele Mutuku
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