Headteachers now part ways with Sossion over reforms

Knut Secretary-General Wilson Sossion. Headteachers have differed with him for rejecting changes to education by the Teachers Service Commission. PHOTO | KANYIRI WAHITO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Kenya Primary Schools Headteachers Association chairman Shem Ndolo said members are supporting efforts to improve education.

  • Mr Sossion accused TSC of failing to consult teachers on staffing changes and a rule requiring heads to be posted outside their home counties.

  • Mr Ndolo’s sentiments were echoed by Kepsha Secretary-General Daniel Mavuta.

Headteachers have differed with their union for rejecting changes to education by the Teachers Service Commission.

The more than 12,000 heads had earlier backed Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary-General Wilson Sossion who opposed the reforms.

However, they rescinded the decision Thursday.

They, instead, resolved to support some changes, including the rolling out of a new curriculum, saying it would improve education standards.

Kenya Primary Schools Headteachers Association chairman Shem Ndolo said members are supporting efforts to improve education.  

“We will help the government harmonise interventions in early education learning programmes but we need training through seminars, conferences and workshops,” Mr Ndolo said during the end of the 13th annual Kepsha conference at Sheikh Zayed Children Welfare Centre in Mombasa.

CONSULT TEACHERS

Mr Sossion accused TSC of failing to consult teachers on staffing changes and a rule requiring heads to be posted outside their home counties.

According to TSC, one must have a master’s degree to become a headteacher.  

 “We have resolved to support the government and TSC in provision of quality education and the initiative of integrating ICT in learning. We will communicate to the government on the challenges headteachers face in their efforts to influence outcomes,” Mr Ndolo added.

The decision came after TSC said the current heads would not be affected by the changes that include the dissolution of boards of schools sharing a compound.

“You will not be demoted. Where did you get those stories from? You came here as school managers and you will go back in the same capacity,” TSC chief executive Nancy Macharia told the meeting.

The heads urged Education CS Fred Matiang’i to reverse his decision on dissolving boards of schools sharing a compound.

Mr Ndolo’s sentiments were echoed by Kepsha Secretary-General Daniel Mavuta.

COMFORTABLE

“We are comfortable. We have never had any wrangles except probably those of us who lack public relations skills,” Mr Mavuta said.   

Meanwhile, the school heads approved raising of monthly contributions from Sh100 to Sh500.  

Mr Ndolo said the deductions would be used for rent, water and electricity. 

“We will use Sh200 on the national office, Sh50 for regional, Sh100 for county and Sh150 for sub-county offices. We will improve the total amount from Sh1.1 million a month to Sh5.5 million,” he said.

The headteachers urged the government to hasten school electrification for the effective implementation of digital learning.