Grade Seven learners set to join JSS today amid scarcity of teachers, funds

A total of 1,253,577 Grade Seven learners are set to join junior secondary school (JSS) today across the country as the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is in disarray over insufficient teachers.

Most public schools that will host the JSS lack enough teachers despite the commission having recruited 30,000 teachers who are expected to report to work today.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu revealed that more than 20,000 schools have been approved to host JSS which means that most schools will receive only one of the newly recruited teachers while there are 12 subjects to be taught.

The 12 core subjects are English, Kiswahili or KSL, Mathematics, Integrated Science, Health Education, Pre-technical and Pre-career education, Social Studies, Religious Education (CRE, IRE or HRE), Business Studies, Agriculture, Life skills, Sports and Physical Education.

Amidst the challenges, the government has directed head teachers to work with the available resources and infrastructure as the learners report to school today.

According to the guidelines released by the ministry on implementation of JSS, the learners will utilise the infrastructure and resources of the primary schools in which they are domiciled.

In the long run, the government aims to establish laboratories with basic apparatus, equipment and specimens relevant to integrated science as well as workshops for pre-technical studies with relevant working tools and safety equipment and materials.

Also in the guidelines, JSS learners are required to wear a different uniform to distinguish them from those in primary school.

The new JSS uniforms shall be the responsibility of parents and schools should not direct parents where to purchase them.

However, the ministry has warned the management of schools against turning away any learner on account of not having the appropriate uniform.

Although the learners are expected to report today, the government has not disbursed the promised Sh9.6billion capitation funds to JSS school accounts.

In the new guidelines, the Board of Management (BoM) of a primary school that domiciles the Junior Secondary School will constitute a special Sub-Committee to spearhead the management of education and resources of the school.

The ministry had outlined that each learner will receive a total of Sh15,000 in capitation whereby Sh4,000 will go to the infrastructure account.

Last week, Machogu launched the national Grade 7 textbook distribution exercise and said that the books will reach schools between today and February 17, 2023.