Teachers Demand Separation of Junior Secondary Schools from Primary Institutions

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Teachers Demand Separation of Junior Secondary Schools from Primary Institutions

Teachers’ unions and junior secondary school (JSS) teachers are demanding the government gives JSS full independence from primary schools saying the current system is hindering education reforms.

Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) and JSS teachers across the country say locating JSS in primary schools has created confusion in school management, sports and co-curricular activities.

“Junior secondary needs its own leadership, resources and curriculum focus,” union officials and teachers said, adding that a separate administrative structure would address the needs of the learners better.

According to the unions, JSS students who are transitioning from upper primary but not yet in senior secondary face unique developmental and academic challenges that the current system is not meeting. Autonomy would streamline administration and strengthen both curricular and extracurricular programs tailored for this age group.

The push for separation has gained momentum in recent months with stakeholders raising concerns over resource allocation, staffing and the long term sustainability of Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).

The government has not yet responded to the renewed demands. However, education officials have in the past defended the placement of JSS in primary schools as a transitional measure to ease the transition between primary and secondary education.

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Teachers Demand Separation of Junior Secondary Schools from Primary Institutions