The Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) have opposed a proposal by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to place primary schools under the supervision of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers. Leaders from these unions argue that the plan will create ongoing tensions and that many JSS teachers lack sufficient experience. TSC insists the proposal is legally sound and will improve school management.
The Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) have opposed a new management proposal by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), under which Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers would oversee primary school heads. Leaders from these unions have criticized TSC for planning to implement these changes, noting that many JSS teachers are recent graduates without sufficient teaching experience.
They argue that the plan is unsuitable for implementation as it will generate constant tensions. This comes as TSC's Director of Staffing, Antonina Lentoijoni, has confirmed the commission's plans to introduce a new management system in combined primary and JSS schools. For instance, such schools will have two deputy heads: one overseeing the primary section and the other the JSS section.
There are 89,000 teachers employed to teach in 20,000 JSS schools. Over the past three years, primary school heads and JSS teachers have been clashing. Lentoijoni stated, “Until we establish a legally acceptable management structure, primary school heads will assist us because they have the expertise to handle the situation. For now, they are still helping us manage JSS schools.”
However, KEPSHA Chairman Faud Ali dismissed the proposal, emphasizing that JSS teachers must respect the current management structure. Ali, who is also the head teacher at Nairobi Comprehensive School (formerly Nairobi Primary), said, “We don't want politics in our schools. Moreover, respect the current leadership in combined schools or go teach in standalone secondary schools.” He added that JSS teachers should serve in standalone secondary schools and transition with Grade 9 students there to show respect or move to those institutions.