A section of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) in Migori County has urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to fast-track the retooling of Senior Secondary School teachers ahead of the admission of Grade 10 learners in January 2026.
The teachers said the retooling exercise is critical to ensure a smooth transition to Senior Secondary School under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), as Grade 10 learners will be the first cohort to join the new level of learning.
Speaking during an engagement forum held at the New South Nyanza Green Stadium (New SONY) in Awendo Sub-County, Migori KUPPET branch candidate vying for the Secretary General position, Mr Henry Otunga, said teachers must be adequately prepared in advance to effectively handle the new curriculum.
Otunga emphasized that early preparation through comprehensive training and retooling will enable teachers to implement CBC effectively and deliver quality education to learners.
“For a smooth CBC transition, teachers must be well equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge. We are dealing with a new curriculum, and preparedness is not optional but mandatory,” he said.
The teachers also called on the Ministry of Education (MoE) to release capitation funds and other institutional allocations in a timely manner to ensure schools operate smoothly when Grade 10 learners report.
“We are ready for Grade 10 learners, and so should be the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission. Funds should be released on time, school infrastructure modernised, and teachers retrained to ensure a smooth and effective transition to CBC,” Otunga added.
On matters of welfare, the teachers raised concerns over the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical cover. They said that although teachers have been placed under the SHA comprehensive cover, many tutors, particularly those in lower job grades, are experiencing difficulties accessing quality healthcare services.
According to the teachers, challenges are most evident in ward admissions, where some facilities reportedly do not fully recognize or efficiently process SHA cover for teachers.
Meanwhile, the forum also discussed the upcoming KUPPET branch elections scheduled for January 10, 2026. The teachers called on the KUPPET National Executive Board to issue a clear and detailed election calendar, including confirmation of venues, to avoid confusion and disputes.
Ms. Jacinta Robi, a KUPPET candidate vying for the Migori Treasurer position, said the New SONY Green Stadium had been proposed as the election venue and was well equipped to host the exercise.
“We have all the amenities here, including adequate security, washrooms, and power backup. I do not understand why some candidates are opposed to holding the elections at this facility,” she said.
She noted that earlier in the month, another section of KUPPET members had warned that they would boycott the elections if the venue was changed without consensus.
Traditionally, Migori KUPPET elections have been held at the Migori Teachers Training College in Migori town. However, the proposed relocation of the 2026 elections to the New SONY Stadium in Awendo Sub-County has sparked debate and raised concerns among some union members.
The teachers urged the union’s national leadership to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and consensus in the election planning process to maintain unity within the union.
By Makokha Khaoya
