Kuppet: Why Grades 8 and 9 Move to Secondary Schools

Kuppet: Why Grades 8 and 9 Move to Secondary Schools. The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has recently introduced significant proposals, signaling a potential transformation in the realm of junior secondary education. In this forward-looking plan, Kuppet envisions a structural shift where Grade Seven students continue their academic journey within the familiar confines of primary school, while Grades Eight and Nine embark on a new chapter within the halls of high school.

This departure from the government’s existing approach, where all three junior secondary grades (Grades 7, 8, and 9) are situated in primary schools, reflects Kuppet’s visionary perspective on educational restructuring. Acknowledging the challenges faced, Akello Misori, the union’s secretary-general, emphasizes the need for timely adjustments. Redirecting Grade 8 to secondary school, as proposed by Kuppet, offers a strategic solution, allowing educators to proactively tackle challenges associated with Grade 7, still nestled in primary school.

As Kuppet commemorates its 25th anniversary, the union seeks not only to celebrate but also to advocate for a critical examination of the junior secondary school’s one-year implementation. They argue that this phase has encountered considerable challenges, leading to a call for its discontinuation. In a bid to inform future policy decisions, Kuppet proposes a comprehensive study assessing the effectiveness of teacher implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) at the junior secondary level.

This significant proposal aligns with Kuppet’s milestone celebration, a momentous event set to unfold during the union’s Annual Delegates Conference in Nairobi. Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu is expected to attend, underscoring the relevance and importance of the union’s recommendations.

However, in the event that junior secondary schooling remains within primary schools, Kuppet urges the government to address the imminent need for 30,000 additional teachers. The union asserts that neglecting this crucial step risks perpetuating a cycle of subpar education quality and underutilized student potential.

Among the key concerns raised by Kuppet is the acute shortage of qualified teachers in junior secondary schools. According to Kuppet, many educators assigned to junior schools are either teaching for the first time, requiring adjustment periods, or lack subject mastery due to insufficient training.

Critically, Kuppet further criticizes the government’s heavy reliance on intern teachers for CBC implementation at the junior secondary level. Misori places blame on Parliament for failing to adequately plan and allocate resources for hiring more teachers, contributing to a chaotic learning environment.

These proposals by the union have sparked heated debates, with Silas Obuhatsa, the National Parents Association chairman, questioning the financial implications on parents. He suggests an alternative approach, urging the government to focus on improving facilities in primary schools to facilitate a smoother transition ahead of the Grade 8 rollout. In this complex landscape of educational reform, Kuppet’s proposals stand as a catalyst for dialogue, urging stakeholders to consider the multifaceted challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Kuppet: Why Grades 8 and 9 Move to Secondary Schools