NAIROBI, Kenya — Teachers’ unions and junior secondary school (JSS) tutors are stepping up pressure on the government to grant JSS full autonomy, warning that the current arrangement of housing the learning level within primary schools is undermining education reforms.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) and JSS tutors nationwide say the government’s decision to domicile JSS in primary institutions has created confusion in school management, sports, and co-curricular activities.
“Junior secondary requires its own leadership, resources, and curriculum focus,” union officials and teachers argued, insisting that a distinct administrative framework would better serve learners.
The unions contend that JSS learners—transitioning from upper primary but not yet in senior secondary—face unique developmental and academic needs that are not adequately addressed under the present system.
They maintain that autonomy would not only streamline administration but also strengthen both curricular and extracurricular programs tailored to students at this stage.
Calls for separation have gained momentum in recent months as stakeholders continue to raise concerns about resource allocation, staffing, and the long-term sustainability of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The government is yet to issue a clear response to the renewed demands, though education officials have previously defended the decision to domicile JSS in primary schools as a transitional measure.
