Teachers’ unions have differed over the autonomy of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), with KUPPET calling for independent administration while KNUT supports the existing management structure under primary school heads.

This emerged during public participation on proposed education Bills at Alupe University in Busia County, where stakeholders also raised concerns over student financing, loan repayment and representation of parents in education management.

Teso South MP Mary Emase, a member of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education, said the views collected would be presented to Parliament to inform the legislative process.

“KUPPET has stressed the need for autonomy to allow each level of education to have its own administration and funding, while KNUT supports the existing format. We will submit the views to Parliament and believe that, based on your contributions, we will get the best outcome,” she said.

Emase said participants had also proposed changes to the student financing model, particularly the balance between scholarships and loans, as well as the repayment rate for graduates.

“Members of the public feel that the government should continue shouldering the responsibility by providing 50 per cent scholarships and 50 per cent loans. On repayment, they feel that the proposed rate of up to 25 per cent is too high and should be reduced to five per cent to make it easier for graduates to repay when they secure employment,” she said.

National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education Chairperson Julius Melly said the public participation exercise had attracted contributions from teachers’ unions, members of the public and other institutions.

He noted that the parents’ association had expressed concern over its representation and funding under the proposed legislation.

“The parents’ association has indicated that it needs funding and a place in the new Bill,” he said.

Melly added that stakeholders had also raised concerns about membership of the Kenya National Examinations Council and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development.

He assured participants that all submissions had been recorded and would be considered during the preparation of the committee’s report, which would inform the proposed legislation to be tabled in Parliament.

Busia County KUPPET Chairman James Omaset reiterated the union’s demand for independent management of junior schools, saying the institutions could operate within the same compounds as primary schools while maintaining separate administration.

“We want autonomy in junior schools. We are ready to be in the same compound, but they should manage themselves, as this system has been successful in several countries. We have also seen the Teachers Service Commission placing JSS teachers under KUPPET, indicating that they have been recognized as post-primary teachers,” he said.

by Salome Alwanda / Rodgers Omondi