Teachers push for junior secondary to be independent from primary schools

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has renewed calls for the government to grant Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) full autonomy, separate from both Primary and Senior Secondary Schools.

Teachers argued that the current arrangement—where JSS is domiciled in Primary Schools—has created confusion over administration, workload distribution, and co-curricular activities.

Speaking during a press briefing in Machakos on Saturday, JSS teachers said their workload is unsustainable, with some handling up to 45 lessons weekly, compared to Primary School teachers who take on about 24.

“We want to be independent. JSS should have its own structures so that we can perform our duties effectively,” one teacher insisted.

Another added, “How can a teacher handling Grade 9 learners be assessed by a Grade 3 class teacher? It doesn’t make sense.”

The teachers further stressed that separating JSS is essential for safeguarding the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.

Their push comes a week after KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori made a similar proposal at State House during a meeting chaired by President William Ruto. Misori’s remarks, however, sparked backlash from some teachers, forcing Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok to intervene and calm tensions.