Fix JSS teachers’ crisis

There is no looking back, as the country has already embraced the competency-based education system. However, many challenges remain, including shortages of teachers and facilities.

While the government has reaffirmed its commitment to making this new system, which is meant to correct shortcomings and improve education delivery, succeed, one cadre of teachers is not receiving the attention they deserve.

The junior school teachers have grievances they feel are not being adequately addressed. They have been calling for autonomy to separate them from the lower primary school set-up.

Now, MPs have taken up the matter and are urging the Ministry of Education to establish a clear career progression framework to avert a conflict between them and their primary school counterparts.

The lawmakers are concerned that the two sets of teachers operate in the same school compound despite the JSS tutors having higher academic qualifications. The National Assembly Committee on Education is planning to engage the ministry on the issue.

Permanent and pensionable terms

A vast majority of the junior school teachers have been hired on temporary intern contracts with lower pay and fewer benefits compared to the other teachers’ permanent and pensionable terms.

But this section faces the steepest staffing deficit, accounting for 71 per cent of the 84,573 teacher shortfall. A single intern is often left to handle many subjects. However, there is no clear roadmap for promotion, causing low morale.

Nearly all of them have university degrees and have been trained as subject specialists in secondary school teaching. Some are forced by primary school heads to teach up to 12 different subjects, including those in which they lack the skills.

The placement of junior school teachers in primary schools without proper guidelines on career progression limits their opportunities for advancement. The uncertainty surrounding the confirmation of 20,000 junior school interns should also be resolved.