Teachers Protest Transfer of JSS Students to Another School
Teachers Protest Transfer of JSS Students to Another School
Following demonstrations by parents and teachers, learning activities at Kaptumo Primary School in Kabarnet, Baringo County, were paralyzed on Wednesday.The parents and teachers who were protesting the Ministry of Education’s lack of establishment of a Junior Secondary School (JSS) department requested explanations.
The teachers promised to close the school until the issue was resolved by the Ministry of Education.We still don’t know why there aren’t any JSS students. One of the teachers stated, “We want to know why JSS is not at Kaptumo Primary School, which is why the parents standing behind me have come demanding their rights.”
Even though the Ministry of Education had properly registered the school, no students in grades 7 or 8 had yet to enroll.Speaking about the situation, a teacher revealed that JSS pupils who were originally scheduled to enroll at the school were moved to a nearby establishment.
The teacher also faulted the Ministry for allocating JSS textbooks to the school but with no students to use them.”With me, I have textbooks from the Ministry of Education and these books were designated for this school,” lamented a teacher.
“These books are coming directly to Kaptumo Primary School, they even have stamps. So we are surprised that we are getting books but with no students.”One parent while venting his frustrations, vowed to travel from Baringo to Nairobi to the Ministry of Education offices to enquire why the issue was yet to be resolved.
“What is the role of the Ministry of Education? A father said, “They recently came here and held four or five meetings. Why don’t they address our complaints? If not, I’ll fly to Nairobi.”When the Kenya Primary Schools Education Assessment (KPSEA) results were announced on January 19, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu ordered that all pupils who took the exam be permitted to enroll in Grade 7. He insisted that students be enrolled in the junior secondary schools in the Grades 1–6 divisions of their respective primary schools.
