Why 15,000 primary school heads want to be elevated to principals

Motivational speaker, Wambugu Wa Kamau takes head teachers through CBC career pathways during Kepsha annual conference at Sheikh Zayed hall in Mombasa, on November 6, 2024. [Omondi Onyango,Standard]

Over 15,000 head teachers meeting in Mombasa have called for a change in the education sector's job grading system to allow gradual progression to the Chief Principal post.

In a push for policy changes, the head teachers are pushing for title change to 'Principal', arguing they oversee three schools: pre-primary, primary, and junior secondary schools.

They said this renaming would grant them more powers and ensure a pay rise, reflecting their increased responsibilities.

Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Chief Executive Nancy Macharia urged the Kenya National Union of Teachers to include this demand in Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations.

"Knut should include the promotion issue in the next CBA talks and present it to Parliament for consideration as this is a policy decision made only by Parliament," said Macharia.

The TSC boss also raised concern over the growing cases of head teachers harassing intern teachers, warning that those found guilty would face disciplinary action according to management guidelines.

"These young interns, posted to schools are Gen Z, need to be nurtured and handled with care. It is shocking that some are being subjected to unfair treatment by head teachers," she added.

A head teacher from Uasin Gishu, Weguta Nyongesa, said that TSC has added more responsibilities, justifying an upgrade from job group D1 to D2 or D3.

In the current grading system, primary school head teachers can only advance to job grade D 1. Job group D2 are principals, D3 and D4 to senior principals, and D5 are chief principals.

"Our title should be 'Principal' to reflect the new reality, where we over see pre-primary, primary, and junior secondary schools with added responsibilities," said Nyongesa.

Simon Lesaya, the head teacher of Gambo Progressive School in Baringo County, said the push for the grading change was not driven by the higher pay, but by the increased tasks.

He said the title of principal is more esteemed than that of "Head Teacher." "With the added responsibilities, the title of Principal is fitting for the increased status," said Lesaya. Other teachers interviewed noted that the job groups D1 to D5 were more prestigious and attractive compared to their current D for head teachers.

Florence Chepkirui of Sorget Primary School in Kipkelion said most primary school head teachers hold PhDs, making the promotion long overdue.

"Many head teachers have the requisite academic qualifications, so promoting them to principals, senior principals or chief principals should not be a problem," said Chepkirui.

She added that younger primary school head teachers, in particular, are concerned about stagnating in job group D until retirement.

The push to upgrade head teachers has gained support from the National Government, with Head of Public Service Felix Koskei and various unions backing the initiative.

Koskei praised head teachers for their excellent work in managing the three schools under difficult conditions.