KUPPET, KNUT Differ Over Autonomy of Junior Schools

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) in West Pokot County are at odds over the management and autonomy of Junior Schools (JS). This disagreement surfaced during a public participation session by the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education discussing proposed education Bills.

KUPPET officials advocate for Junior Schools to operate independently within primary school compounds, with teachers qualified to teach at the post-primary level as their leaders. Alfred Kamuto, KUPPET's Executive Secretary in West Pokot, argued that teachers overseeing Junior Schools should possess the expertise to manage and mentor secondary-level teachers.

He emphasized that holders of a P1 certificate, diploma in primary education, or Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) qualifications may lack the necessary training to supervise and mentor teachers with degrees in secondary education. Kamuto contended that the manager of Junior Schools must be a degree holder specializing in secondary education, not just a degree holder.

KUPPET further insisted that the leadership structure of Junior Schools should align with the qualifications and teaching requirements of the level.

In contrast, KNUT officials oppose the proposal, endorsing the recommendation of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform to integrate Junior Schools into comprehensive school structures. KNUT's Executive Secretary in West Pokot, Dorcus Lotimen, posited that separating Junior Schools from primary schools could disrupt the seamless transition of learners between education levels and hinder teachers' ability to share knowledge, thereby exacerbating knowledge gaps.

During the public participation exercise, which also gathered input from other education stakeholders, Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap encouraged stakeholders to offer specific proposals, including amendments, for the Bills. These proposals encompass various aspects of the legislation, ranging from pre-primary to university education and student financing.

Education officials from the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Kapenguria Campus presented amendments to the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026, recommending equitable financing for KMTC students while acknowledging the specific costs and practical prerequisites of health-professional training. They also suggested modifications to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loan repayment provisions, arguing that graduates should not be obligated to begin repaying their loans one year post-graduation if they lack employment.

KMTC President Andrew Pkemoi suggested that loan repayment should commence upon securing either formal or informal employment, with a proposed deduction of 4% of the basic salary to repay the loan, instead of the current cap of 25% of the employee's emoluments.