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The fight for Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers’ representation has escalated into a heated dispute between the Kenya Junior School Teachers’ Movement (KJSTM) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET). While KUPPET has moved to amend its constitution to include JSS teachers among its members, KJSTM has strongly opposed the move, citing concerns over lack of consultation, leadership marginalization, financial exploitation, and unfair eligibility criteria.
This clash raises critical questions: Who should represent JSS teachers? Is KUPPET truly committed to championing their welfare, or is it just after their membership fees? Should JSS teachers have their own independent union?
The Root of the Conflict
The dispute began when KUPPET’s Annual Delegates Conference (ADC) in Vihiga County on December 20, 2024, endorsed constitutional amendments to incorporate JSS teachers. While KUPPET positioned this move as a way of protecting JSS teachers’ interests, KJSTM and many JSS educators see it as a forced takeover that lacks proper consultation.
1. JSS Teachers Are Treated as ‘Second-Class Members’ in KUPPET
Although JSS teachers were invited to KUPPET’s ADC, they attended only as observers, with no direct voting rights on the decision to amend the union’s constitution. This raised concerns that:
- Decisions affecting JSS teachers were made without their direct input.
- JSS teachers were not given proportional leadership representation despite their large numbers.
- The only position reserved for them was an “Assistant Secretary for JSS”, which KJSTM argues is too insignificant to represent over 50,000 JSS teachers.
KJSTM maintains that if JSS teachers are to join KUPPET, they must be treated as equals, with a fair share of leadership positions and decision-making power.
2. High Nomination Fees: A Barrier to Leadership for JSS Teachers
KUPPET’s election framework is another major concern. The nomination fees for leadership positions are too high for most JSS teachers, making it nearly impossible for them to vie for top positions.
- National Secretary-General and Chairperson candidates must pay Ksh 500,000 in nomination fees.
- The proposed JSS Assistant Secretary position requires a Ksh 300,000 nomination fee—a fee that is out of reach for many JSS teachers, most of whom are still interns or in lower job groups.
KJSTM argues that this is a deliberate financial barrier to prevent JSS teachers from assuming key leadership positions, ensuring that they remain members with little say in policy decisions.
3. Unfair Experience Requirement for Leadership
KUPPET’s new rules also state that teachers must have at least five years of union membership before they can contest for leadership positions. This presents a major setback for JSS teachers, considering that:
- Most JSS teachers were only hired in 2023 and 2024 and would therefore not be eligible for any leadership roles until 2028 or later.
- This requirement effectively locks JSS teachers out of union leadership for years, reinforcing KJSTM’s claims that KUPPET is absorbing them for financial gain rather than genuine representation.
KJSTM argues that the rules should be revised to allow JSS teachers to compete for positions immediately rather than waiting five years.
4. Financial Motives: Is KUPPET Targeting JSS Teachers for Revenue?
KJSTM has accused KUPPET of prioritizing membership fee collection over teacher welfare. With over 50,000 JSS teachers, each expected to pay a monthly contribution to KUPPET, the union stands to gain hundreds of millions of shillings annually.
- KUPPET has not outlined a clear plan for how it will address JSS teachers’ specific issues.
- KJSTM claims that KUPPET’s main focus is growing its financial base rather than advocating for JSS teachers’ interests.
- The rushed constitutional amendments suggest that the process was driven more by financial benefits than by the teachers’ actual needs.
5. JSS Teachers’ Unique Challenges Are Being Overlooked
JSS teachers have distinct challenges that are different from those of secondary school teachers, yet KUPPET has not demonstrated how it will tackle them. These include:
- Unclear career progression paths—JSS teachers are still uncertain about their promotion structure.
- Heavy workloads—many JSS teachers handle multiple subjects, sometimes across different grades.
- Lower salaries compared to secondary school teachers despite handling complex subjects.
- Lack of proper training—many JSS teachers were posted without adequate preparation to handle Grade 7-9 learners.
KJSTM argues that JSS teachers need a union that understands and prioritizes these challenges rather than being absorbed into a secondary school teachers’ union that may not fully represent their needs.
What’s Next?
KJSTM has called on the Registrar of Trade Unions and the Ministry of Labour to intervene, warning that if their concerns are ignored, they will advise JSS teachers to boycott KUPPET membership.
This battle has now reached a critical stage:
- Will KUPPET listen to JSS teachers’ grievances and amend its policies?
- Will JSS teachers push for their own independent union, separate from KUPPET and KNUT?
- Will the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) intervene to prevent a teachers’ union crisis?
The answers to these questions will shape the future of JSS teachers’ representation in Kenya.
Final Thoughts: Should JSS Teachers Join KUPPET or Form Their Own Union?
The current dispute highlights a bigger issue—the lack of a dedicated union for JSS teachers. If KUPPET genuinely wants to represent JSS teachers, it must:
- Offer equal leadership opportunities instead of token positions.
- Lower nomination fees to make leadership accessible.
- Outline a clear plan for addressing JSS teachers’ unique concerns.
- Involve JSS teachers in decision-making, rather than making unilateral amendments.
On the other hand, if KUPPET fails to address these issues, JSS teachers may have no choice but to form their own independent union to ensure their voices are heard.
The battle for representation is far from over, and the coming months will determine whether JSS teachers will remain under KUPPET—or chart their own path.
