KNUT: Graduate Teachers Not Skilled for JSS, Demands Recognition for Primary Teachers
Primary school teachers have expressed discontent with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for hiring graduate teachers to teach Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) instead of promoting them, despite upgrading their skills.
Represented by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), the teachers argued that many of the graduate teachers employed lacked the necessary skills for JSS.
In a conversation with the Nation, Knut Secretary-General Collins Oyuu stated that the graduate teachers are not adequately prepared, leading to ineffective teaching in JSS.
Oyuu questioned the appropriateness of assigning teachers trained in English and Literature to subjects like Music, Art and Craft, and Computer Studies, advocating instead for primary school teachers to handle Grades 7 and 8.
Knut is preparing a policy paper to clarify who should teach in JSS and highlight the losses incurred due to the current staffing choices.
According to Oyuu, 80 percent of the teaching in JSS is currently managed by primary school teachers.
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He mentioned plans for a situational analysis in all public schools, in collaboration with education sector experts, to address the confusion and dissatisfaction within JSS.
He criticized the financial inefficiency of hiring JSS teachers who receive high salaries but contribute little.
Oyuu emphasized that primary school teachers, many of whom have graduate and even master’s degrees, are capable of handling these learners.
KNUT: Graduate Teachers Not Skilled for JSS, Demands Recognition for Primary Teachers
