The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has praised President William Ruto’s recent decisions aimed at strengthening the education sector. 

However, the union called for a broader national conversation on making public education free by 2030. 

Addressing the press yesterday, Kuppet Secretary General Akelo Misori welcomed the president’s move to maintain Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) capitation at Ksh22,244 per student annually. 

Ruto overruled an earlier directive by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who had proposed slashing the capitation to Ksh16,900. 

“We commend the president for listening to Kenyans. This action, along with the recent decision to reduce public university fees, reflects a renewed commitment to addressing challenges in the education sector,” said Misori. 

Kuppet also demanded that the Teachers Service Commission budget for the promotion of all the 130,000 teachers who have stagnated. 

Misori added that despite modest gains in the new CBA, these teachers have been neglected for years, resulting in low morale.

“The Cabinet Secretary for Treasury should immediately release the entire capitation for the academic year 2025 so that schools can address pressing financial obligations ahead of the term three opening later this month,” he added. 

The union called for the immediate recruitment of 20,000 new teachers, a pledge Ruto made during this year’s Labour Day celebrations.  

Lacking infrastructure 

Kuppet said there is a national shortage of over 106,000 teachers, especially at the Junior Secondary School (JSS) level. This is despite there being nearly 300,000 trained but unemployed teachers. 

He proposed that JSS be returned to public secondary schools, aligning with the initial Competency-Based Curriculum plan by the late Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha. 

The current system, which places JSS in primary schools, is criticised for lacking infrastructure and qualified staff.

“I remember noticing that a JSS with a population of 400 learners did not have enough teachers to lay the foundation for STEM and performing arts,” Misori stated. 

He also emphasised the need for conversation on a policy framework.  

Kuppet took a swipe at the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform, saying its recommendations created more problems than solutions.

“The report undermined the Cabinet Secretary for Education and led to missteps such as the fee hikes in universities and misplacement of JSS in ill-equipped primary schools.”