Primary school headteachers in Kenya have strongly opposed a recent proposal by Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers to transfer the management of junior secondary institutions from primary to senior secondary schools.
Speaking at the Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) annual conference in Mombasa, attended by over 15,000 headteachers, KEPSHA National Chairman Fuad Ali emphasized that the current JSS structure within primary schools is both effective and inclusive. He noted that the decision to domicile JSS in primary schools was made through the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform, with input from all key stakeholders.
Ali cautioned JSS teachers against introducing union politics into the daily administration of schools. “There is no leadership vacuum in our schools,” he said. “Our voice and freedom are safeguarded under the current comprehensive school system. That is why we now refer to ourselves as the Kenya Comprehensive School Headteachers Association, representing all-inclusive institutions.”
The KEPSHA chairman defended the current arrangement, highlighting the smooth implementation of Grade 9 assessments. “If there were any issues, the Grade 9 evaluations would not have taken place successfully. From a management standpoint, everything is functioning well,” Ali added.
During the conference, headteachers also questioned Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba regarding his claims that KSh 1.1 billion had been lost through so-called “ghost schools.” Homa Bay Headteacher Alex Siso dismissed the claims as misleading, asking: “Surely, how can a school be called a ghost when it has a headteacher, teachers, and even security personnel? Which planet are we on?”
The KEPSHA conference reaffirmed the commitment of primary school heads to the comprehensive school system, underlining their opposition to any restructuring of JSS management. With strong representation and a unified stance, KEPSHA continues to advocate for a system that promotes inclusivity, efficiency, and stability in Kenya’s education sector.
