The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and head teachers from more than 23,000 public primary schools have urged the Ministry of Education to fast-track the rebranding of all Basic Education institutions into Comprehensive Schools to ensure uniform identity and coherent management structures.
Knut Secretary-General Mr Collins Oyuu and Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (KEPSHA) national chairman Mr Fuad Ali also want the Teachers Service Commission to promote teachers stuck in various job groups.
The two said thousands of teachers have stagnated in the same job groups for years despite steering key education reforms.
“A good finger deserves a ring. These heads of institutions have successfully implemented Competency-Based Education for the past 15 years and have completed the first Grade 9 cycle. What we are asking for is very small—just one grade promotion,” said Mr Oyuu.
Mr Ali said many teachers have been stuck in C4, C5 and D1, calling for the removal of the D1 ceiling to allow career progression.
“In fact, why do we have a bar in D1? It should be removed so that teachers can move to principalship. Those in D4 should move to C4 and C5, and those stagnating in D1 should also be promoted,” he said.
Kenya Primary School Heads Association chairperson Fuad Ali.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
The head teachers also appealed for the construction of science laboratories in all Junior Schools and the full implementation of recommendations by the 2023 Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms and the forthcoming Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2025.
They further demanded an increase in primary school capitation from Sh1,400 to Sh2,400, noting that President William Ruto recently pledged higher capitation during a meeting with school heads at State House.
The administrators also want the TSC to deploy diploma- and degree-holding teachers currently in primary schools to Junior Schools where needed, and redistribute excess Junior School teachers to Senior Schools facing shortages.
They decried delays in the release of capitation funds, saying the funds often arrive months after schools reopen, forcing institutions to borrow from financial institutions to stay afloat.
Last term, schools received capitation after closure. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba later attributed the delays to the ongoing audit aimed at eliminating ghost learners and schools.
“Capitation should be increased to Sh2,300 per learner to cover rising costs, and funds must be released before the start of each term. We also need dedicated financing for co-curricular activities to nurture learner talent,” said Mr Ali during the 21st KEPSHA delegates conference in Mombasa.
The school heads also called for transparent, merit-based promotions, saying the TSC must address stagnation across various job groups and support continuous professional development for teachers under CBE.
They further urged strengthened teacher welfare programmes, particularly in hardship and refugee-hosting areas.
In their final communiqué, the delegates reaffirmed their commitment to driving transformation in the education sector through leadership, innovation and collaboration.
“We remain steadfast in shaping the future of learning through transformative leadership, digital integration and environmental stewardship, ensuring no child, teacher or school is left behind,” they said.
The school leaders commended the government for progress made in education reforms, including the recruitment of 20,000 Junior School teachers and the allocation of Sh1 billion for teacher promotion and retooling.
They noted that more than 151,000 teachers have been promoted since the introduction of Competency-Based Education, with a further 21,313 set for promotion in the 2025/26 financial year.
They also praised the TSC for broadening access to curriculum delivery through live-streamed lessons in hard-to-reach areas and applauded government efforts to develop a legislative framework for managing comprehensive schools.
The association additionally welcomed improvements to teacher welfare and health through the comprehensive medical scheme for teachers.
