The Kenya Junior School Teachers Association (KeJUSTA) has raised serious concerns over widespread discrimination and mismanagement affecting Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers across the country.
The association has documented numerous cases where JSS teachers face systematic discrimination, threats, intimidation, and coercion from Heads of Institutions (HOIs).
According to KeJUSTA Secretary General, Daniel Murithi, teachers in various regions have been denied access to teach JSS classes, while qualified JSS teachers have been barred from serving as class teachers.
“HOIs have excluded JSS teachers from crucial decision-making processes regarding Junior Schools, further facing threats of interdiction before completion of their probationary periods” said Murithi.
“There is evidence of widespread misappropriation of capitation funds by HOIs, resulting in poor infrastructure and inadequate learning resources.”
Additionally, HOIs have allegedly excluded JSS teachers from crucial decision-making processes regarding Junior Schools. The association also claims that some teachers have faced threats of interdiction even before completing their probationary periods.
Furthermore, KeJUSTA has raised concerns about the misappropriation of capitation funds by HOIs, leading to poor infrastructure and inadequate learning resources in Junior Secondary Schools. The association believes these financial irregularities have negatively impacted the quality of education and the overall well-being of both teachers and students.
In response to these allegations, KeJUSTA is calling for immediate action from relevant authorities. The association urges the Ministry of Education to conduct an independent investigation into the financial management of primary school institutions and hold accountable any HOIs found guilty of misappropriating funds.
Additionally, KeJUSTA has requested the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to investigate reported cases of intimidation and threats against JSS teachers in several counties, including Makueni, Kwale, Mandera (Mandera East Sub-County), Siaya, Nairobi, and Kilifi. Specific schools in Makueni County named in the complaint include Karimwailu Boarding Primary, Kathekani Primary, Kathyaka Primary, and Nthangu Primary School.
The association is also calling for an inquiry into possible collusion between HOIs and County or Sub-County Directors in creating a hostile teaching and learning environment through intimidation, threats, and coercion of JSS teachers.
KeJUSTA’s national, county, sub-county, and zonal leadership has pledged full cooperation with authorities to facilitate these investigations. The association remains committed to supporting the TSC in ensuring the smooth operation of Junior Secondary Schools and fostering a conducive learning environment that prepares students for a competent and promising future.
