By S, KNA
Junior Secondary teachers affiliated to Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) in Embu County have decried mistreatment and intimidation from the heads of primary schools.
The poor work environment for the JS teachers stems from integration of JSS into primary schools leading to a rift between them and their supervisors who perceive them as a threat.
The irate teachers argued that this had created a toxic work environment for them as a result of the alleged mistreatment and disrespect from the heads and staff of those schools.
Consequently, the teachers led by KUPPET Branch Executive Secretary Jacob Karura have petitioned the Government to make Junior Secondary Schools fully autonomous to restore their dignity.
They have also written a petition to the National Assembly to enact legislation to make JS Schools fully autonomous institutions.
He said they are ready to go on strike or move to court to safeguards their careers as well as Competency-Based Education (CBC) they argued was being undermined by the arrangement.
They argued that merging of pre-primary, primary and junior secondary under a single administration poses a serious risk to the quality of learning.
They called for JSS to have own boards, administration and governance frameworks to secure the future of the Competence Based Education (CBE), enhance accountability and improve education outcomes.
County JS Interim Chair David Ngari said the CBE design of 2-6-3-3-3 was built on the premise that each stage of learning should stand on its own, saying the merger undermines this principle.
Other petitions raised by the teachers include ring-fencing of resources allocated to JSS, construction and equipping of specialised facilities such as laboratories and ICT hubs.
Ends/Education/Ngala/Ongaga
Photo caption
Embu JS Teachers who have decried intimidation and mistreatment from primary schools’ heads and staff.