Junior secondary school teachers are calling for autonomy from primary school management to address unique challenges such as the lack of laboratories and the need to cater to adolescent learners.
The Kenya Junior School Teachers' Association (Kejusta) is advocating for junior secondary schools to be placed under their own school heads and boards of management, and to run independent accounts for capitation funds.
Representing over 72,000 junior school teachers, Kejusta says its members have suffered from a lack of identity, unclear career progression pathways, and inadequate institutional support.
Kejusta's interim national chairman, James Odhiambo, stated that junior school teachers lack a clear institutional and professional identity, which undermines both their dignity and effectiveness.
