KUPPET steps up recruitment of deployed JS teachers in nationwide membership drive

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has intensified efforts to bring teachers deployed to Junior Schools (JS) into the union, saying they deserve equal representation and protection of their professional interests.

During a press conference at the union's national headquarters, Secretary-General Akello Misori and National Chairman Omboko Milemba received deployed JS teachers who formally expressed their intention to join the union by signing membership recruitment forms.

Mr Misori said the exercise is part of KUPPET's broader strategy to unite all teachers serving in JS under one professional organisation, regardless of their recruitment arrangements. He disclosed that thousands of deployed JS teachers had already joined the union, with many others showing interest.

The union has dispatched membership recruitment forms to interested teachers and plans to extend the exercise to all 47 counties.

KUPPET maintained that teachers deployed from other levels of education to serve in JS should not be excluded from union representation, arguing that they face similar professional challenges and deserve equal attention on matters affecting their welfare.

The union leadership said the recruitment drive also aims to strengthen its campaign for JS autonomy, improved working conditions, fair career progression and professional recognition for teachers.

Mr Milemba and Mr Misori called on deployed JS teachers who are yet to join to take advantage of the ongoing exercise, describing unity as essential in advancing their collective interests.

The move comes amid growing debate over the future of JS teachers, including their career progression, employment terms and the place of JS within Kenya's education structure.

KUPPET said it would continue engaging teachers across the country to ensure that all those serving in JS have a strong voice in decisions affecting their careers and working conditions.

The union described the recruitment exercise as a major step towards building a united JS teaching fraternity.