JSS teachers lobby group petitions KUPPET over constitutional amendments

The Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) teachers lobby group has submitted a petition to the Registrar of Trade Unions, expressing their frustration and dissatisfaction with the Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (KUPPET) and its proposed amendments to the union’s constitution.

The group, known as the Kenya Junior School Teachers Movement, has raised several concerns about the proposed changes, saying they infringe upon the rights of the new members from junior schools.

One major issue raised by the lobby group is the lack of a clear structure for the inclusion of JSS teachers in the union.

They argue that KUPPET has only allocated one position for them—an assistant secretary position—at the national level.

The group feels undervalued, especially considering the union collects over KSh 30 million from JSS remittances through union dues.

Currently, JSS teachers are required to pay KSh 890 monthly as union dues. Another significant concern is the high union nomination fees for those seeking leadership positions.

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The lobby group said that candidates for the Secretary-General and National Chair positions are required to pay KSh 500,000. At the same time, other national officials, including the representatives for JSS teachers, face a nomination fee of KSh 300,000.

The group is also concerned about how JSS teachers employed at job group C2 could afford such fees when seeking national leadership within the union.

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They view this as a blatant attempt to exclude them from vying for positions or even considering participation in KUPPET’s national leadership.

The first cohort of 9,000 JSS teachers, who were employed on permanent and pensionable terms in 2023 and a second cohort in 2024, have all been recognized as KUPPET members by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

The lobby group has questioned when and where public participation occurred before the TSC’s decision. They argued that JSS teachers were still discussing whether to form their union.

So far, the Kenya Junior School Teachers Association (KEJUSTA) has been established to advocate for the grievances of JSS teachers. Finally, the petition submitted to the Registrar of Trade Unions highlights the open discrimination of JSS teachers regarding union leadership.

The lobby group questioned why their members are barred from contesting for a position until they have completed five years of service with the TSC.

They view this restriction as unacceptable and seek formal redress from the Registrar of Trade Unions.

Copies of their petition have also been shared with the TSC and KUPPET national office.

By Kaptich Tarus