Union points out teething challenges in JSS

By Benson Kelio

The National government has been urged to employ more teachers in order to facilitate smooth running of the new education system in Junior Secondary School (JSS).

Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Baringo Branch Executive Secretary Bishop Joshua Cheptarus pointed out that Competency Based Curriculum in JSS has not taken off the way it should be due to numerous challenges after its first students transited to grade seven from 30th January this year. children to do so since they will in turn reap in future,” said the legislator who was making the remarks during this year’s thanksgiving ceremony for Moi High School Kabartonjo.

Bishop Cheptarus while speaking exclusively to Rural Times said learners pursuing the 14 subjects are interacting with fewer lessons due to understaffing witnessed in many public schools.

“There is a serious challenge of understaffing in our Junior Secondary which the government must urgently look into in the second term,” he said.

The unionist also stated that there is a serious physical infrastructure deficit coupled with low curriculum learning materials which may affect the quality of education.

“Most schools after the task force late last year recommended JSS to be domiciled in primary schools, do not have important facilities like laboratories for practical lessons nor do they have sufficient books for all the subjects,” said Bishop Cheptarus.

He proposed for a team of stakeholders, experts and officials from the Ministry of Education to visit the various institutions to ascertain the real challenges on the ground and come up with possible workable solutions of sustaining the 2-6-3-3-3 education system.

Bishop Cheptarus’s sentiments were shared by Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap who called for more support from all stakeholders in boosting the country’s education standards.

Makilap said proper planning needs to be put in place especially in most public institutions in order for learners to attain the desired academic performance.

He asked all school principals in his sub county not to send away children to collect fees, instead look for other modalities of supporting needy students so that their education cannot be interrupted.

The Baringo North MP urged respective schools to create a scholarship fund to gather for more than 20 students whose parents are often challenged in raising their fees.

Makilap stated that well-wishers, stakeholders and alumni will be able to contribute to the kitty and allow the ministry of education, school board of management and local leaders to focus on other pressing needs aimed at enhancing sustainability of the new curriculum.