Primary school headteachers have strongly opposed a proposal by Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers to transfer the management of junior secondary institutions from primary to senior secondary schools.

Speaking during the Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) annual conference in Mombasa, attended by over 15,000 headteachers, KEPSHA National Chairman Fuad Ali reaffirmed that the decision to domicile JSS within primary schools was reached through the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform, with input from all key stakeholders.

Ali emphasized that the current structure — where JSS operates within primary institutions — remains effective and inclusive. He cautioned JSS teachers against bringing union politics into the day-to-day administration of schools.

“There is no leadership vacuum in our schools,” Ali stated. “Our voice and freedom are safeguarded under the current comprehensive school system. That is why we now refer to ourselves as the Kenya Comprehensive School Headteachers Association, representing all-inclusive institutions.”

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Ali further defended the arrangement, noting that the ongoing implementation of Grade 9 assessments has proceeded smoothly under the current management.

“If there were any issues, the Grade 9 evaluations would not have taken place successfully,” he added. “From a management standpoint, everything is functioning well.”

During the conference, several headteachers also questioned Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba over his recent remarks alleging that KSh 1.1 billion had been lost through so-called “ghost schools.”

Homa Bay Headteacher Alex Siso dismissed the claims as misleading, stating:

“Surely, how can a school be called a ghost when it has a headteacher, teachers, and even security personnel? Which planet are we on?”