Junior school teachers and unions are calling for administrative independence, arguing that being managed by primary schools limits their professional growth and causes conflicts.
The Kenya Association of Junior School Teachers and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) represent over 50,000 teachers pushing for junior schools to be recognized as a separate tier, distinct from both primary and senior schools.
James Odhiambo, association chairperson, criticized the practice of primary school heads, who aren't qualified to supervise junior school teachers, being in charge of them. He said this mismatch in qualifications creates tension and hampers career progression, leaving teachers without promotion opportunities.
Odhiambo emphasized that junior school teachers are trained for post-primary education but are instead supervised by primary-trained staff, which undermines their roles. He appealed to the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission for junior schools to gain administrative autonomy, as recommended by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform.
KUPPET Deputy Secretary-General Moses Nthurima also criticized the “comprehensive school” model, noting it lacks legal recognition and doesn't align with the Competency-Based Curriculum, which envisions junior school as part of secondary education or a distinct entity.