JSS teachers overworked and understaffed.Serious concerns have been raised in some cases where the newly hired junior secondary school (JSS) teachers are required to teach primary grades.
This is according to a job description approved by the Kenya Union of Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) that is against the Teachers service commission TSC .
The Siaya branch executive secretary Sam Opondo has indicated that the above practice was not consistent with his role and that in some cases,some of the JSS teachers were asked to teach core classes and subjects that were not formally organized .
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JSS teachers overworked and understaffed
The Kenya National Union of Post Primary Teachers KUPPET believes that in some schools there is a loose relationship that has developed between principals and JSS teachers,that may be existing as a result of a feelings of inferiority among unqualified teachers.
Previously under the 8-4-4 program, newly hired JSS teachers had the goal of teaching in high schools.
JSS teachers overworked and understaffed
According to a JSS teacher who attended the general meeting of the KUPPET branch in Siaya district tabled a concern saying that many of them were facing difficulties which he suspected that the leadership with P1 level were suffering from what he said is an inferiority complex.
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According to Opondo,there is need for importance of professionalism among JSS colleagues and called on primary school Headteachers to enhance professionalism,ensure administrative discipline as well as supporting of JSS teachers.
Opndo further said that current junior schools are lacking and teachers often teach more than 10 classes a day, this Forces them to take extra subjects in primary school when they are already struggling with the JSS workload which is considered a violation of their rights.
As per to Siaya KUPPET branch chair,most JSS institutions lack essential infrastructure and resources,as a result this makes practical training difficult or impossible.
JSS teachers overworked and understaffed
It was also revealed that these institutions do not provide minimum compensation to JSS teachers for debts owed outside of school.