KUPPET Urges Primary School Heads to Respect for Junior Secondary Teachers.
Makueni County Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Executive Secretary Justus Kimeu has urged primary school head teachers to cease mistreating Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers and instead treat them with fairness and respect.
Kimeu reiterated the stance of Teachers Service Commission (TSC) CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia, who, during a conference with primary school heads three months ago, emphasized the need for school heads to support JSS teachers rather than subject them to undue hardships.
He pointed out that despite this directive, many school heads have continued to sideline JSS teachers rather than guiding and supporting them. He insisted that such practices must come to an immediate halt.
Kimeu highlighted numerous complaints from JSS teachers regarding their exclusion from key planning decisions for JSS classes and welfare issues.
He noted that the government’s ban on remedial teaching had left teachers receiving meager compensation while also facing threats of disciplinary action through showcase letters.
Disparities in Payment and Teaching Assignments
One particular concern raised was the amount of money collected from parents versus what JSS teachers receive.
In one school, he explained that with 775 JSS students each paying 1,500 shillings, teachers only receive 200 shillings in the morning and 300 shillings per hour on Saturdays, leading to growing frustration among educators.
Additionally, JSS teachers are denied the role of class teachers for their own students, with these responsibilities instead being assigned to P1 teachers.
Kimeu cited a well-known primary school in Makindu where grades 7 and 8 are exclusively taught by P1 teachers, while grade 9 has only four JSS teachers and one intern.
Despite having five trained and retooled JSS teachers, the school has barred them from handling JSS classes, instead assigning 18 P1 teachers to teach grade 9, even though they are not authorized to do so.
Kimeu urged JSS teachers to familiarize themselves with the Code of Conduct, the Basic Education Act, and related regulations so they can stand up for their rights without intimidation.
He reassured them of KUPPET’s unwavering support as they continue navigating the challenges of implementing the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
KUPPET Urges Primary School Heads to Respect Junior Secondary Teachers.
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