JSS teachers are raising concerns with school heads and are asking TSC to intervene.
Teachers are accusing Heads of Institutions (HOI) of systematic discrimination, threats, intimidation and coercion and are now calling for thorough investigations into reported cases of mistreatment.
KUPPET Warns Primary School Headteachers Against Harassment
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Makueni branch has condemned the intimidation of JSS teachers. The union has warned primary school headteachers who also double up as principals of junior secondary schools against mistreating their junior colleagues.
“These conflicts are affecting education quality. TSC should act fast” KUPPET officials said.
Since JSS teachers were hired in 2023, relations between the two have been rocky. Some are now calling for JSS to be established as an independent institution to ease the tension. However under the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER), nursery, primary and junior schools were merged into one institution.
TSC’s Role in JSS Staffing
TSC has been involved in the recruitment and confirmation of JSS teachers to permanent and pensionable (PNP) terms:
✅ 39,550 JSS teachers transitioned from internship to PNP terms as of January 2024.
✅ 21,550 teachers were recruited in February 2023 while 18,000 joined in September 2023.
✅ 20,000 JSS teachers were posted on one year internship contracts in January 2024.
Despite these staffing efforts, JSS teachers and primary school heads are still at odds.
TSC CEO Wants JSS Teachers Treated Well
TSC CEO Dr Nancy Macharia during the Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) conference in November 2023 told headteachers to treat JSS teachers with respect.She noted that intern JSS teachers get only KSh 20,000 per month which reduces to KSh 17,000 after statutory deductions (NHIF, Housing Levy, NSSF) and said there is need for support and collaboration in implementing CBC.
Key Reasons for JSS Teachers and Headteachers Conflict
Here are some of the reasons:
1️⃣ Superiority Complex
- Some JSS teachers feel they have higher academic qualifications than headteachers most of whom have PTE certificates or diplomas.
2️⃣ Mismanagement of JSS Funds
- JSS teachers feel headteachers are not the right people to manage JSS capitation funds and are misusing resources.
3️⃣ Perceived Immaturity of JSS Teachers
- Headteachers say most JSS teachers are Gen Z and some are displaying unprofessional behavior due to inexperience.
4️⃣ Power Struggles Over School Management
- Headteachers fear losing control over JSS operations including finance and curriculum implementation.
5️⃣ Economic Frustrations
- JSS intern teachers earn significantly less than their PNP colleagues and are low morale and resentful.
The Way Forward: A Permanent Solution
- TSC should investigate allegations of harassment and intimidation.
- Better communication between JSS teachers and headteachers to resolve disputes professionally.
- Clearly defined financial guidelines to manage JSS capitation funds transparently.
- Increase JSS teacher stipends to motivate and reduce economic stress.
- Leadership training for JSS teachers and headteachers to promote teamwork.
With JSS being in its infancy, we must address these issues for CBC to work and for smooth Junior Secondary education in Kenya.