The Chairman of the Kenya Primary School Head Teachers Association-Nyanza Chapter, Elly Ondiek, has advocated for the Teacher Service Commission (TSC) to prioritize the promotion of head teachers.
Speaking at the 21st annual general meeting and conference of the Kenya Primary School Head Teachers Association (KEPSHA) for the Nyanza Region, held at Migori Stadium, Ondiek highlighted that nearly 90 percent of head teachers are currently classified within Job Group C5.
He emphasized that these educators are responsible for managing both primary and junior secondary education, a significant undertaking that warrants recognition; however, their compensation remains inadequate.
Ondiek argued for their advancement from Job Group C5 to D1 to reflect the substantial responsibilities they bear in both educational sectors.
Furthermore, he noted that the conference would serve as an opportunity for head teachers to reflect on their professional experiences, successes, and challenges, while also enhancing their capacities through sessions facilitated by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), the Teacher Service Commission (TSC), the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), and the Ministry of Education, among other stakeholders.
Ondiek pointed out that educational reforms introduced by various stakeholders often fail to reach all head teachers in their respective workplaces. Therefore, he stressed the importance of utilizing the conference to familiarize themselves with institutional expectations.
He also urged the Ministry of Education to ensure the stability of the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) to provide head teachers with a more efficient operational framework.
He noted that many head teachers have encountered difficulties in uploading student information onto the system, expressing confidence that the conference would address these issues and enhance educational quality.
Additionally, he called on the Ministry of Education to ensure that funds allocated to schools are appropriately aligned with budgetary categories and accompanied by guidelines for their utilization to promote responsible financial management.
County KEPSHA Chairperson David Okelo also highlighted that delays in capitation funding remain a significant challenge impacting the daily operations of educational institutions.
He urged the Ministry of Education to consider providing capitation amounts equivalent to those allocated to senior schools, emphasizing that head teachers are now tasked with overseeing both primary and junior secondary sections, which require increased financial support.
Hussein Abraham, a head teacher from Homa Bay County, remarked that the conference would aid in enhancing their managerial competencies and addressing institutional challenges.
He raised concerns regarding the shortage of junior secondary school teachers and urged the government to recruit additional educators to ensure the provision of quality education for students.
The event, the first to be held in Migori County, brought together about 4000 head teachers drawn from the six Counties in the Nyanza region and is set to run until 16 April.
