Teachers handling Junior Secondary School (JSS) learners have called on the government to separate JSS from primary schools, arguing that the current structure undermines effective teaching and learning.
Speaking on Saturday, September 20, in Machakos County, JSS teachers raised concerns over administrative confusion, co-curricular activities, and workload distribution under the current arrangement.
According to the teachers, JSS learners require a distinctive administrative framework that is independent from both primary and senior secondary schools. “We, as JSS teachers, want to be independent. We want our institutions so that we can undertake our duties effectively,” one teacher said.
The educators noted that housing JSS within primary schools had created conflicts in management, especially regarding sports and co-curricular activities. They added that the arrangement was affecting not just teachers but also the learners.
A key issue raised was the imbalance in workload. JSS teachers claimed they handled up to 45 lessons per week compared to their primary counterparts, who reportedly managed an average of 24 lessons weekly. “How can a teacher who teaches Grade 9 students be assessed by a Grade 3 class teacher?” one teacher questioned, highlighting what they described as unfair and unsustainable practices.
The teachers further warned that unless JSS was given autonomy, the future of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system could be at risk. They urged the Ministry of Education to create clear structures for JSS institutions to function effectively and provide quality education.
This push comes as the government continues to implement the CBE framework, with teachers insisting that separating JSS from primary schools would resolve the current confusion and ensure smooth curriculum delivery.
