MPs Warn of Potential JSS Crisis Due to Teachers Shortage
The shortage of teachers to support the new education system is a major concern for MPs, with some warning of a potential crisis if the government did not address the problem.
Members of Parliament and Senators have expressed concern over the government’s implementation of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) after it emerged that the system had been launched without the required learning materials.
MPs and Senators raised a number of issues during a Parliamentary session that included the inadequate numbers of textbooks and the shortage of qualified teachers able to handle the CBC.
MPs James Nyikal of Seme and Martha Wangari of Gilgil called on the government to make improvements to the system
Senate’s Education Committee have asked for an update on the number of learners who had transitioned to Junior Secondary School (JSS), including the challenges faced by the Ministry of Education in ensuring 100% transition.
It also demands for an explanation of the current state of learning in JSS, including the development and extent of the roll-out, and the listing of the subjects taught.
The Committee also sought an assurance that JSS classrooms that had been built in secondary schools following a Presidential directive would not be affected by the CBC.
The shortage of teachers to support the new system was a major concern for MPs, with some warning of a potential crisis if the government did not address the problem.
“What the Senators have raised are pertinent issues because the fear is that teachers were posted to JSS but we know they are trained in particular subjects and not to take care of the whole class,” said Nominated Senator Beatrice Oyomo.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale called upon all elected leaders to put pressure on the government over the issue, saying that the current challenges were threatening to “kill an entire generation”.
Senator Joe Nyutu warned of a looming crisis in the transition because, up to December 2018, JSS was supposed to be domiciled in secondary schools, but the task force recommended that the learners remain in primary schools because of their age.
This caught primary schools off-guard as they were unprepared to handle JSS curriculum. However, he added that Teachers Service Commission boss Nancy Macharia had assured his committee that teachers who had been teaching in secondary schools before, especially those with diplomas, and those in primary schools with degrees, would be posted to JSS.
MPs Warn of Potential JSS Crisis Due to Teachers Shortage
