A section of legislatures have hinted at a plan to thwart a proposal by Teachers Service Commission (TSC) which awards junior schools independence.
Details have emerged that some Members of Parliament (MPs) are irked by the Commission’s arrangement and have vowed to oppose a TSC bill which seek to separate primary and junior school management and operations.
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.
However Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi has cautioned TSC against splitting the two institutions, warning the move could be disruptive.
The vocal pro-government politician has argued that all teachers are equal as she appealed to junior school teachers to take up lessons in Grade 1 to 6.
Her suggestion has sparked outrage among the junior school teachers who are planning second round of countrywide demos through their union Kenya Junior School Teachers Association (Kejusta) to push for the institution autonomy.
TSC’s proposal may hit a snag should majority of the law makers fail to endorse it.
The Commission is also seeking the MPs to approve additional budget to cater for additional salaries, benefits, and administrative resources under 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.