KNUT: Separate administration for Junior Schools would burden government

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has cautioned Parliament against reforms that would create separate administrative structures for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), saying the move would impose unnecessary costs on the government.

KNUT Deputy Secretary General Hesbon Otieno said any changes to how junior schools are run should be guided by practical considerations and not political interests, and that the current comprehensive school model remains workable.

He urged the National Assembly Education Committee to consider the views of teachers, headteachers and other stakeholders before deciding on the proposed Basic Education Bill, 2026.

Otieno spoke at Kaptabongen village in Chesumei Constituency, Nandi County, at a fundraiser for the medical treatment of teacher Pauline Koech.

He opposed turning the question of where junior schools should sit into a contest between junior school teachers and primary school headteachers. He noted that the Presidential Working Party on Education had recommended keeping junior schools within primary schools under the comprehensive school model.

"The comprehensive school system, as currently constituted, has been tried and tested and found to be working well. We do not want confusion. We must keep politics out of it for the benefit of our learners," he said.

He argued that separating junior schools would force the government to build extra offices and other facilities, even in schools whose resources are already stretched.

"Look at this neighbouring school. Do you expect us to put up another administration block to have the junior school running independently? This is not practical and would be expensive for no apparent reason," he said.

Otieno said the government should instead strengthen existing school structures and direct available resources to improving the learning environment. He asked the parliamentary committee to put learners' interests first and avoid changes that could disrupt teaching.

Call for better teachers' medical cover

Otieno also called for more funding for the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to improve teachers' medical insurance.

He said some teachers still pay medical bills out of pocket despite being covered under the Social Health Authority (SHA), while others rely on contributions from colleagues and well-wishers. He asked for a review of the medical scheme to close gaps in coverage and protect teachers from financial hardship when they seek treatment.

Teachers at the fundraiser praised the government for implementing the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), pointing to additional teacher recruitment and promotions as positive steps for the sector.