By Roy Hezron
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General, Collins Henry Oyuu, has maintained his stand that the Junior Secondary Schools should be domiciled in the Primary School section.
Speaking during the 45th Kenya Secondary Schools’ Heads Association (KESSHA) Annual National Conference at Sheikh Zayed Hall in Mombasa on April 18, 2022 Oyuu stated that the primary schools in the country have adequate resources to accommodate the junior secondary schools.
“We are aware that the new Education Curriculum in Kenya has proposed restructuring of the education system whereby Junior Secondary Grade 7, 8 and 9 has been proposed to be domiciled in the Secondary Section.
“As we respectfully support the new Curriculum of Education in Kenya; we must advice Government very responsibly that it may be ideal to have the Junior Secondary in Primary Section because of very many reasons,” said Oyuu.
Oyuu stated further that if the JSS will be domiciled in Primary Schools, then there will be a smooth transition into the new curriculum, then the available resources could still be utilized in other areas of need.
“The fact that there are over 28,000 Primary Schools against 7,000 Secondary Institutions elucidate that it would be easier to have one class each in the 28,000 Primary Schools than build two classes in the 7,000 Secondary Schools which may not even be enough,” said Oyuu.
He asked the TSC to review the policy on promotion of teachers to administrative position by devolving the role to counties so that fairness in determining promotions is done locally.
“We have insisted as the Kenya National Union of Teachers that the policy of promotion of teachers to administrative positions be devolved to the counties. This is because there is a general feeling that apart from the TSC just interacting with the academic qualifications and other testimonials in teachers’ files at the TSC Headquarters’ for promotion; there are other administrative competencies that can be identified through service delivery and teaching in schools.
“We wish to encourage that this policy be reviewed so that fairness in determining promotions is done locally. Indicators of forced promotions have recently been seen in the manner and way in which unrests in schools were witnessed,” said Oyuu.
Regarding the cost of Teacher Development Programme (TPD), Oyuu stated that they have petition the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and that the process is underway to waive the cost from teachers and rethink the duration of undertaking the six modules to a reasonable number of years, adding that the TSC of today is willing to listen.
“When TPD programs were rolled out in 2021, you will remember that we held hands with other Unions to petition the TSC to consider waiving the cost of training from teachers…This has been under review and I am sure as we speak now, there is a revision of the expected amount to be paid for one to attend the trainings including the cost of buying modules,” added Oyuu.
He asked the government to consider revising the capitation in Secondary Schools because the standards of life have extremely sky-rocketed. Oyuu further appreciated government for the way Form One selection was conducted, saying that it was fairly done.
You’re very right Mr Oyuu .