Primary school headteachers who are also principals of junior schools in acting capacity have received with shock a proposal by TSC to make junior schools independent.
In their various Whatsapp groups the headteachers who have expressed disappointment have called out the TSC proposals, saying they risk disrupting harmony in schools and smooth curriculum implementation.
Some have suggested that this can only happen if the institutions are completely taken out of primary school environment.
Currently junior schools are being hosted inside primary schools. They share most facilities and resources.
The headteachers manage the funds allocated to junior schools. The headteachers risk losing management of junior school capitation should the proposals TSC get adopted.
However the Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (Kepsha), which was later baptized to Kenya Comprehensive Schools Heads Association (Kecsha) to push for merging of primary and junior schools, has not officially spoken on the matter.
In the proposals which were presented to Parliament before the National Assembly Committee on Education, TSC has proposed establishment of independent governance and administrative structure for junior schools.
This will see junior schools break away from joint leadership with primary schools, giving junior school teachers a major win in their quest for autonomy.
The proposals come after President William Ruto briefly met some junior school teachers during national exam marking exercise last year and promised to address the junior school autonomy issue.
“I have heard you and I think you have a point. I will have a talk with the Teachers Service Commission, which is an independent institution on what they are going to do,” said Ruto after he briefly met teachers stationed at State House Girls High School for KJSEA marking exercise who had pushed him to declare junior school independent.
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.
This is a blow to primary school headteachers who have served as Principals of junior schools in acting capacity and who have been pushing for their confirmation.
The headteachers were looking forward for adoption of the proposal by the Ministry of Education that would make primary and junior school one institution headed by one principal and two deputy principal (one for primary and another for junior) which would have opened an opportunity for their confirmation and promotion to job group D1.
These latest reforms by TSC would allow junior schools to appoint substantive principals and deputy principals, creating a need for additional salaries, benefits, and administrative resources.
Appearing before the Committee, TSC Acting Chief Executive Officer Evelyne 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.
Junior school teachers have been accusing primary headteachers of mismanagement of junior school resources and high handedness in management.
Some of the teachers have previously accused primary headteachers of using junior school funds to equip primary schools.
The autonomy push by junior school seem to be a success after Mitei sudden changes.
Initially TSC had planned to upgrade P1 teachers through a World Bank sponsored programme so they could handle junior school classes under comprehensive school model.
The programme was later abandoned as the Commission now unveils how junior schools will be managed going forward.
Last year the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) and Kenya Junior School Teachers Association (Kejusta) led calls for autonomy in the management of junior schools.
The two groups argued that granting junior school independence would not only ease administration but also strengthen the Competency Based Education (CBE).
I as primary teacher do agree with the tsc direction so as to allow accountability of learning areas, teaching resources and as well as respect plus intellectual levels to take place effectively.at time junior school teachers get blames from headteachers, because of getting resources that supports junior school learning.the always answers is No money, where should this trs get money for practicals purposes,tsc decision is positive.
Two leaders cannot be in one house this will yield chaos in schools
I’m a junior secondary teacher who is advocating for autonomy in junior secondary. These juniors needs a more structured kind of administration rather than treating them more of primary kids. They need a more strengthened management for a clear picture of the kind of senior learners we’re producing. Them being treated more of primary they still have that primary mindset and we maybe causing alot of confusion as they transit to senior and that’s why our colleagues in senior school are much bothered about the students being admitted in Senior level. My thought process though.
Autonomy including compounds is most welcome.
It is the way to go.As a teacher I would support autonomy of JSS
Jss autonomy is overdue
As a junior school teacher, I advocate for autonomy in junior schools. We have practicals to do but we can’t because the hoi’s claims that there is no money. Teaching under the headteachers it ain’t easy at all.
More resources both human and physical,as a parent I wish it can be like what was suggested initially i.e take grade 9 back to senior school plus their teachers.
Some bloggers are sympathizers of HOIs.They want to create a narrative of opposition yet they haven’t done more research in the ground