KNUT Takes a Stand Against Demotion for Head Teachers Without Degrees
The Kenya National Union of Teachers has rejected a proposal from the Presidential Working Group on Education Reforms to demote primary school head teachers who lack a degree.
The proposal, according to Knut Secretary General Collins Oyuu, would be the worst form of labor practice, and the union isn’t going to support it.
“About 99 per cent of head teachers in primary schools are graduates. If anybody thinks head teachers in primary schools are not graduates, then you are wrong,” said Oyuu.
According to the proposals of the Presidential Working Group on Education Reforms, the deadline for primary school principals hosting Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) is December 30, 2023.
Currently, 23,000 schools offer JSS, with some principals lacking degrees.
However, he stated that if there are principals without degrees, the union wants them to be permitted to continue their education without being demoted.
“If there is any teacher who is not a graduate and is a head teacher, we will insist they be allowed to proceed to university and attain the qualification.”
He stated that the majority of the instructors in question are degree-eligible.
This past weekend, Oyuu addressed Knut Coast regional officials at Ronald Ngala Primary School in Mombasa County.
According to Oyuu, the KNUT will propose that afflicted school principals return to college to earn degrees and retain their positions.
“We are prepared, and we have our teeth out to bite where necessary so that our teachers remain comfortable as they were. If anything, some of these heads you are making reference to are some of the best heads,” Oyuu said.
He asserts that at least ninety percent of primary school heads hold degrees.
“It is basically administration, and we all went to college to learn basic administration and we qualified highly.”
He stated that the union supports the other changes proposed by the team and that it is necessary to eliminate Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School and replace them with comprehensive schools.
Oyuu stated that the comprehensive school should begin with Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) and end with Grade 12 under the leadership of a single principal, unlike the JSS, which begins in primary school and then moves to senior secondary school with various principals.
He also supported the recommendation to reduce the TSC’s authority and transfer it to the Ministry of Education, stating that the ministry and TSC are in constant conflict.
KNUT Takes a Stand Against Demotion for Head Teachers Without Degrees