KNUT Opposes Plan to Demote School Heads Without Degrees
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) objected to the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms’ proposal to demote primary school heads who lack degrees beginning in January 2019.
KNUT Secretary General (SG) Collins Oyuu criticised the plan as the worst labour practise the nation could impose on teachers at the KNUT coast council regional meeting, which was held at Ronald Ngala Primary School in Mvita, Mombasa.
“We are prepared and prepared to take the required steps to guarantee that our teachers continue to be in their cosy positions. In reality, a few of these leaders you mention are leaders in their fields. We all received training in fundamental administration and performed exceptionally because it is an essential component of our schooling, according to Oyuu.
Oyuu noted that KNUT had concerns about a number of the recommendations, despite the fact that KNUT wholeheartedly supported the significant changes and reforms in the education sector that the working team had suggested.
He emphasised the Union’s dedication to assisting elementary school principals without degrees and said they will make recommendations to the working party asking that these leaders be permitted to continue their study at the university while still holding their posts.
Oyuu dispelled any concerns regarding the qualifications of primary school heads by pointing out that 90% of them were graduates.
He insisted that anyone in charge who didn’t have a degree go back to school to get the training they needed.
While the new Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) is being implemented, one of the working group’s proposals suggested that head teachers of elementary schools that currently house Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) continue to oversee these schools through December 30, 2023.
JSS is permitted to be held in over 23,000 primary schools that have received Ministry of Education approval; some of these schools are led by non-graduate school heads.
KNUT Opposes Plan to Demote School Heads Without Degrees
The concept called for the creation of comprehensive schools, where JSS, primary schools, and pre-primary schools would all function under the direction of the same head teacher within the same property.
Without the necessary credentials, head teachers would be given administrative positions with less responsibility.
As comprehensive schools would handle the concerns of primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary schools being distinct institutions, the KNUT SG supported the concept.
This strategy would guarantee that students begin their education from Early Childhood Development (ECD) through grade 12, under the direction of a single head teacher, in the same school.
“We have found a lot of gaps that needed to be closed sooner, especially with the adoption of JSS. The shift of grade 7 kids to JSS has occurred, but where are the teachers? Oyuu enquired.
He emphasised that although KNUT agreed that JSS should be included in primary schools, they thought the idea of comprehensive schools needed more research.
Oyuu encouraged the Commission to employ instructors who have TSC numbers and are currently being sought for by counties.
“It is irrational for people to have TSC numbers and work for counties at the same time. To guarantee consistency in quality assurance and their work in our schools, TSC should now assume the task of hiring these teachers, according to Oyuu.
KNUT Opposes Plan to Demote School Heads Without Degrees
