Primary Teachers Decry JSS Job Snub, Fault TSC for Ignoring Upgraded Skills.
Primary school teachers are expressing frustration with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for failing to promote them to Junior Secondary School (JSS) teaching roles, despite upgrading their qualifications.
Instead, the commission has prioritized employing graduate teachers, a move that has sparked criticism.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has voiced concerns, arguing that graduate teachers lack the necessary skills for JSS.
Knut’s Secretary-General, Collins Oyuu, stated that some graduate teachers hired are unqualified for JSS and their deployment has disrupted effective learning.
He pointed out that graduate teachers trained in subjects like English and Literature are being asked to teach unrelated disciplines, such as Music, Art and Craft, and Computer Studies.
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According to Oyuu, primary school teachers are better equipped to handle Grade 7 and Grade 8 learners, given their training.
Knut’s Proposed Action Plan
Knut is preparing a policy paper to clarify the staffing requirements for JSS and highlight the challenges arising from current practices.
Oyuu revealed that 80% of the teaching responsibilities in JSS are being shouldered by primary school teachers, raising questions about the rationale behind the current recruitment strategy.
The union plans to conduct a situational analysis in all public schools in collaboration with education sector experts.
Oyuu claimed that there is a growing sense of rebellion and confusion within JSS due to the staffing decisions, urging the Ministry of Education and TSC to address the issue urgently.
Questions Over Skill Upgrading
The Secretary-General questioned the purpose of sending P1 teachers back to college to enhance their qualifications, asking why the upgrading process was initiated if their skills are not being utilized.
He called for clarity in assigning roles to ensure efficiency and avoid confusion in schools.
Oyuu criticized the commission for hiring JSS teachers who he claimed contribute little while earning significant salaries.
He reminded the TSC that the Ministry of Education had not recommended P1 teachers to upgrade their qualifications without reason, emphasizing that the intention was to enable them to teach Grades 7, 8, and 9 effectively.
Concerns About Recruitment Practices
After obtaining P1 qualifications, many teachers pursued additional training to upgrade their skills.
Oyuu questioned the logic behind hiring graduate teachers trained in English and Literature to teach Grades 7 and 8, reiterating that primary school teachers are more suitable for these roles.
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The union continues to press the Ministry of Education and TSC to reevaluate their approach, arguing for a more logical and economical deployment of teaching staff in JSS.
Primary Teachers Decry JSS Job Snub, Fault TSC for Ignoring Upgraded Skills
