Head Teachers Want Their Title Changed to Principals as KEPSHA Conference Begins.
Major Concerns: Delayed Capitation and Underfunding
The annual conference of primary head teachers begins today in Mombasa, with key discussions expected on delayed capitation and inadequate school funding.
The more than 10,000 participants aim to address these financial challenges, which have severely hampered school operations.
They will urge Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba to reassess and increase the funds disbursed to schools, arguing that current allocations are based on the outdated 8-4-4 curriculum, even as the demands of implementing the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) grow significantly.
KEPSHA Chairman Johnson Nzioka expressed concerns that delayed disbursement of funds has left schools struggling.
He noted that the money, usually staggered, often only covers accumulated debts, and he warned that the situation could deteriorate further with the addition of Grade 9 classes next year.
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The head teachers are keen to highlight how this financial gap threatens the smooth running of schools.
Staffing Shortages and Teacher Distribution
The head teachers will also advocate for the hiring of more teachers to address the rising learner population. Nzioka explained that schools are facing immense pressure due to being understaffed, compounded by losing teachers to natural attrition.
Despite the government’s efforts, including the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) employing 57,000 teachers for Junior Secondary School (JSS) over the past year, the swelling student population—expected to reach 3.8 million by next year—demands even more staff.
Nzioka emphasized that quality education cannot be achieved if teachers are overstretched. As such, TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia will be asked to clarify the distribution of teachers and how institutions can operate effectively with the current workforce.
Push for Recognition and Better Compensation
A key agenda for the head teachers is the push to change their titles to “principal,” in recognition of the comprehensive schools they manage, which now include JSS.
They believe their expanded responsibilities merit not just a change in title but also a corresponding salary enhancement.
Nzioka pointed out that for two years, head teachers have taken on the additional role of managing JSS without any increase in pay, which they will demand during the conference.
“For the last two years, we were assigned additional responsibility to head JSS. However, the government did not factor that in salary enhancement,” said Nzioka.
Infrastructure Development and Grade 9 Transition
Infrastructure progress ahead of the January Grade 9 transition will be another point of discussion. The head teachers are expected to review ongoing construction projects to ensure that schools are ready.
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President William Ruto recently assured that 17,000 new classrooms would be completed by January, with Sh3.5 billion already allocated. Similar funds are anticipated from Members of Parliament through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund.
Strategic Planning and Conference Milestones
This year’s conference comes a year after the Kenya Primary School Headteachers Association (KEPSHA) marked 20 years since its founding.
Last year, KEPSHA launched its 2024-2028 Strategic Plan, and this annual gathering continues to serve as a platform for discussing strategic initiatives aimed at improving the state of primary education in Kenya.
Head Teachers Want Their Title Changed to Principals as KEPSHA Conference Begins.
