The debate surrounding the management and structure of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) in Kenya continues to heat up, with the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) taking a firm and uncompromising stand.
Speaking in Naivasha, Collins Oyuu dismissed calls for autonomy in junior schools, insisting that such proposals are not captured anywhere in the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms report.
“Autonomy has no place in the Presidential Working Party Taskforce report. Do not introduce what is not in the recommendation of the report. Junior schools are domiciled in Primary schools. Period,” Oyuu declared.
His remarks come at a time when discussions around the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and the placement of Junior Secondary Schools have sparked intense reactions among teachers, education stakeholders, and parents across the country.
KNUT’s Firm Position
KNUT has consistently maintained that Junior Secondary Schools should remain under the management of primary schools, as originally envisioned in the education reforms.
According to the union, attempts to separate junior schools from primary institutions could create confusion, administrative conflicts, and unnecessary disruptions in the implementation of CBC.
Oyuu’s statement appears to directly challenge proposals and opinions suggesting that junior schools should operate independently or be attached to secondary schools.
For KNUT, the matter is straightforward:
Junior schools were designed to be part of primary schools — and that is where they belong.
The Bigger CBC Debate
Since the rollout of CBC, Kenya’s education sector has experienced numerous adjustments, debates, and policy disagreements.
From teacher deployment to infrastructure shortages and learner transitions, the implementation of Junior Secondary Schools has not been smooth.
Many schools have struggled with:
- Inadequate classrooms
- Teacher shortages
- Limited learning resources
- Confusion over management structures
The issue of autonomy has now added another layer to the already complex conversation.
However, KNUT argues that deviating from the official taskforce recommendations risks creating even more uncertainty in the education system.
Teachers Watching Closely
Teachers across Kenya are closely following the debate because any structural changes directly affect staffing, administration, and working conditions.
For many educators, the concern is not just about school placement, but also about clarity and consistency in policy implementation.
Oyuu’s strong words in Naivasha signal that KNUT is prepared to defend its interpretation of the reforms and resist any changes it views as outside the official recommendations.
As the debate continues, one thing remains clear:
The conversation around Junior Secondary Schools in Kenya is far from over