The Ministry of Education has directed junior secondary schools (JSS) to source teachers for various subjects from senior secondary schools (SSS).
According to Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) Director Charles Ong’ondo, some JSS do not have enough teachers to teach certain subjects.
In the meantime, Ong’ondo stated that junior secondary school heads have been asked to coordinate with the county director of education in order to obtain teachers from the secondary section.
“Where we don’t have teachers in the special subjects, let the principals reach out to the neighboring schools through the sub-county directors’ office, and this will be resolved,” he said.
Ong’ondo stated that the arrangement should be temporary as the Ministry works to place teachers in JSS.
“By the end of February, the ministry will take stock of the teachers already posted and the deficit,” he said.
Speaking in Kisumu on Tuesday as he supervised the distribution of books to Migosi Junior Secondary School, the director stated that teacher postings will be completed within a week.
He also cautioned parents against transferring their children who were previously enrolled in JSSs to other schools without alerting ministry officials.
Ong’ondo indicated that the ministry faces difficulties when pupils are transferred without notice.
“All children in our schools now are enrolled in the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS), so if you transfer a child, let it be in notification,” he said.
He stated that the notification will assist the ministry in budgeting for the number of books and teachers to be assigned to a school.
Kisumu Central Sub County Director of Education Charles Ang’iela, who accompanied the Director, declared that 70% of the sub county’s pupils have reported to JSSs.
Ang’iela explained that they are aiming for a 100 percent changeover and are hopeful that the goal will be met by the end of the week.
“The subcounty had registered 4,888 children in transition from primary to junior secondary, and we will ensure all reports to school,” he said.
Parents were advised not to be concerned about sending their children to Junior Secondary School in their old uniforms for the time being while they work on a replacement to adhere to the new uniforms.
