KNUT Urges TSC to Retool P1 Teachers to Address JSS Crisis.
The government, through the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), has been called upon to retool P1 teachers in primary schools to address the acute teacher shortage in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS).
This issue continues to hinder the successful implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
During a meeting at Amagoro after the induction of Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) school representatives, Aggrey Namisi, the KNUT National Second Vice Chairperson, emphasized that the current student-to-teacher ratio in JSS is a significant challenge.
He observed that the only viable solution lies in incorporating primary school teachers into JSS since they form the majority where JSS is domiciled.
“Our JSS learners are not getting the quality teaching are required due to acute shortage. This is despite efforts by government to employ 50,000 teachers,” said Namisi.
Namisi pointed out that JSS learners are not receiving the quality education they deserve due to the severe teacher shortage, despite the government’s efforts to hire 50,000 teachers.
He also criticized the current practice where a single JSS teacher is expected to handle up to eight subjects, terming it unrealistic and detrimental to the future of the learners.
Retooling P1 Teachers for a Broader Teaching Scope
Namisi proposed that P1 and diploma teachers should be retooled to teach in JSS. He highlighted that these teachers are better suited for the task due to their broader training, which contrasts with the specialized training of university graduates.
Namisi stated that university-trained teachers often find themselves teaching subjects outside their areas of expertise, such as an English-Literature teacher handling chemistry or physics, which he argued undermines the education system.
“You will find English-Literature teacher being asked to handle chemistry or physics practices, this is unrealistic and one way of crippling the education of our learners,” he added.
To address this crisis, Namisi urged the government to re-equip P1 teachers, considering their extensive training and the fact that JSS is housed within primary schools.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has launched a strategy to reclaim its lost influence by introducing school representatives to enhance union membership and bargaining power.
Over 180 KNUT school representatives in the Teso branch were recently trained and inducted, marking a significant step toward strengthening the union’s presence in the region.
TSC’s Commitment to Addressing Job Stagnation
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has pledged to end job stagnation among teachers, a concern frequently raised during stakeholder engagements.
According to TSC Commissioner Dr. Nicodemus Anyang, the commission has promoted over 55,000 teachers in the past two years and plans to promote an additional 26,000 teachers within the next three months.
Dr. Anyang acknowledged the frustrations of teachers who have repeatedly applied for promotions without success.
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He urged them to remain positive and continue applying, attributing previous delays to budgetary constraints. The commissioner clarified that there is no hidden criterion for promotions and assured teachers that their concerns about stagnation are being addressed.
The TSC has been engaging with stakeholders across the country to address concerns raised by teachers. The issue of job stagnation emerged as a primary concern, and the commission is working on implementing solutions to restore confidence among educators.
Conclusion
The call to retool P1 teachers and enhance teacher promotions reflects the critical need to improve Kenya’s education sector. Addressing these challenges will ensure quality education for JSS learners and restore hope among the teaching fraternity.
KNUT Urges TSC to Retool P1 Teachers to Address JSS Crisis.
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