Primary school heads to be considered for principal status, says CS Ogamba
By Lucy Mumbi |
Ogamba acknowledged the additional responsibilities headteachers will face with the start of Grade 9 in January 2025.
Primary school headteachers could soon attain principal status in recognition of their growing responsibilities since the rollout of junior secondary education reforms.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has assured them that the government will objectively assess their request for elevation to principal level, a title currently designated for secondary school heads and evaluate the financial impacts of such a change.
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"Where it is possible, we will do it. Where it is not possible, we will explain why and negotiate with you," he said, committing to an open and fair discussion.
"You know I am a trained lawyer, and my job is to convince the judge. So, I will try to negotiate with you, but whatever you are entitled to, the changes that are coming, we will align them to ensure a smooth transition."
Ogamba acknowledged the additional responsibilities headteachers will face with the start of Grade 9 in January 2025.
"We will not take you for granted," he assured them.
He also highlighted some challenges encountered since his appointment, including recent teachers’ strikes and an ongoing strike by university lecturers.
"As we speak, Moi University has agreed to reopen because we have been negotiating with the team up to Wednesday at 2 am. So, students are going back to class," he said.
"We want to make the education sector hygienic. We don't want our teachers and professors on the streets. They should be in class teaching our students. So we will do our part as you do yours."
Capitation funding
The administrators pressed the Ministry of Education to utilise the competency-based assessment portal within the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) instead of birth certificates for allocating school resources, saying that many students lack such documents, leading to missed capitation funding.
They also urged the government to increase funding for free education as advised by the 2023 Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWP-ER).
"Ensure the timely release of free education funds, ideally before school terms begin, to facilitate smooth school operations," Nzioka, a representative of the primary school heads said.
He further called for the rapid recruitment of teachers for junior schools, requesting the deployment of qualified accountants or bursars to help manage free education capitation funds.
"Ensure equitable distribution of Grade 9 classrooms nationwide, under the Ministry’s oversight," he added, emphasising the need for adequate infrastructure and resources as the junior school rollout progresses.
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