Education CS Julius Ogamba addressing journalists at Nyamira DEB Junior School on October 27, 2024. He inspected six JSS classrooms in Kisii and Nyamira counties.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has assured primary school headteachers that the State will consider their request for elevation to the status of school principals due to the additional responsibilities they have assumed since the introduction of junior school last year.
Mr Ogamba pledged to objectively review the elevation of primary school administrators to the principal level, a position currently reserved for secondary school heads, and the financial implications it would have on the government.
“Where it is possible, we will do it. Where it is not possible, we will explain why and negotiate with you. You know I am a trained lawyer, and my job is to convince the judge. So, I will try to negotiate with you, but whatever you are entitled to, the changes that are coming, we will align them to ensure a smooth transition,” he added.
The CS acknowledged the added responsibilities that headteachers will face, especially with the rollout of Grade 9 in January 2025.
He spoke during the official closing ceremony of the Kenya Primary School Head Teachers Association (Kepsha) annual conference in Mombasa.
On Tuesday, the headteachers called on the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to upgrade their job grades, noting that they are in charge of comprehensive schools, which include pre-primary, primary, and junior secondary education.
They further urged their employer to facilitate career progression for primary school heads beyond Job Grade D1.
“Increase the salary for headteachers to reflect the expanded responsibilities of managing comprehensive schools. Promote teachers and headteachers in primary schools who have furthered their studies,” said Kepsha Chair Johnson Nzioka.
Mr Ogamba acknowledged the various challenges in the education sector.
“I have faced challenges ever since I was appointed, but I have been authentic enough to assure teachers in this country that we will try to resolve the issues they are facing. We will not take you for granted,” he said.
The CS cited recent strikes by teachers and an ongoing strike by university lecturers as some of the challenges he has faced since his appointment.
“As we speak, Moi University has agreed to reopen because we have been negotiating with the team up to Wednesday at 2am. So students are going back to class,” said the CS.
“We want to make the education sector hygienic. We don’t want our teachers and professors on the streets. They should be in class teaching our students. So we will do our part as you do yours,” said the CS.
The administrators urged the Ministry of Education to use the competency-based assessment portal within the National Education Management Information System, rather than birth certificates, for school resource allocation.
They argued that many learners lack crucial documents, which causes schools to miss out on their capitation funds.
At the same time, they urged the State to increase capitation funding for free education, as recommended by the 2023 Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWP-ER).
“Ensure the timely release of free education funds, ideally before school terms begin, to facilitate smooth school operations,”
