The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has opposed a proposal by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to separate junior schools from primary schools.
Warning over the proposed dual management, Knut argues that introducing parallel leadership structures in primary and junior school sections within the same institution could create confusion, administrative conflicts, and weaken effective school governance.
Currently the institutions are operating as one Comprehensive school with junior schools being hosted inside primary schools and is headed by primary school headteacher who serves as principal in acting capacity.
The union wants the institutions to operate under a single, unified management structure as proposed by the Presidential Working Partly on Education Reforms (PWPER) warning that any structural reforms must involve meaningful stakeholder engagement.
TSC acting CEO Eveleen Mitei presented to Parliament before the National Assembly Committee on Education, the proposals which will see junior schools break away from joint leadership with primary schools.
Under the new structure junior schools which comprise of Grades 7, 8 and 9 would operate independently, no longer under primary school heads who have managed this section for the past three years.
Recently primary schools headteachers and a section of law makers also trashed the Commission’s proposals terming them divisive.
Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi cautioned TSC against splitting the two institutions, warning the move could be disruptive.
Elachi argued that all teachers are equal as she appealed to junior school teachers to take up lessons in Grade 1 to 6.
Junior school teachers have however insisted on autonomy. The Kenya Junior School Teachers Association (Kejusta) is currently planning second round of nationwide protests to push for the institution autonomy.
TSC in a budget proposal is seeking approval of additional budget to cater for additional salaries, benefits, and administrative resources to be created in the new structure.
According to the Commission proposals junior schools will now appoint substantive principals and deputy principals similar to senior school structure.
Despite opposition Mitei said the move is intended to strengthen leadership, accountability, and service delivery in junior schools, which are currently managed jointly with primary schools.
Mitei told MPs that the change would require increased budget allocations for personnel emoluments to sustain the new leadership positions.
“In a bid to streghten leadership and governance in junior schools, there is a proposed policy change to provide a new administrative structure,” Mitei stated.
She added that the reforms are necessary to support effective curriculum implementation and ensure proper succession management within schools.
TSC indicated that newly deployed administrators would require extensive training and capacity building to manage the institutions effectively.
However Knut maintains that education reforms must prioritize stability, consultation, and efficiency to protect the integrity of Kenya’s education system.
“Teachers’ welfare, professionalism, and career progression must be safeguarded. Policy changes should strengthen, not destabilize learning institutions,” said Knut.
