TSC Sets Tough Conditions For Promoting Primary Headteachers To Principal .
TSC Sets Tough Conditions For Promoting Primary Headteachers To Principal . Headteachers Demand Fair Recognition for Junior Secondary School Leadership.
In a bold move, headteachers across Kenya have raised their voices in unison, demanding recognition for their growing responsibilities in managing Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) housed within their institutions. This comes just a day after the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) responded to their plea for promotion from headteacher to principal positions.
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Johnson Nzioka, Chairman of the Kenya Primary School Headteachers Association (KEPSHA), emphasized that the headteachers believe their role has expanded significantly with the inclusion of JSS, warranting a change in both title and compensation. Under the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG), these headteachers are calling for a move from the current C5 grade to the higher D1 grade, which aligns more closely with their increased responsibilities.
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However, TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia made it clear that such promotions cannot occur without a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Addressing headteachers during the KEPSHA conference in Mombasa, Dr. Macharia explained that the issue would need to be formally addressed in the upcoming 2025-2029 CBA, stressing the importance of unions advocating for these changes on behalf of their members.
For the past two years, headteachers have been working under one-year contracts, acting as principals for over 10,000 schools hosting JSS. Despite the growing pressure, the government has yet to factor these extra duties into their salary structure, leaving headteachers like Nzioka frustrated. He pointed out that while student numbers continue to rise, the staff count remains insufficient, creating a high-stress environment for those managing the schools.
With over 3.8 million students expected to enroll in JSS by next year, the call for fair compensation and permanent positions for these overburdened educators has never been more urgent. Headteachers are urging the government to recognize their critical role in shaping the future of education in Kenya.
