Teachers have raised new concerns while at the same time issuing demands to the Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha over the expected transition of students to grades seven and eight.

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has come out firmly stating that the tutors are not well trained and schools are understaffed to handle junior secondary students in line with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

Speaking to the media after attending a closed-door meeting in Narok on Thursday, February 3, national officials led by Secretary-General Akello Misori, noted that CS Magoha needs to prioritise teachers’ training.

“We are dearly disturbed that there is so much concern about space as he focuses on CBC. We want to see action on the development of our teachers in readiness to grade seven and grade eight which follow their completion of grade six preparation,” KUPPET secretary-general Akelo Misori stated.

Misori asked the Ministry of Education in collaboration with other stakeholders to consider the availability of infrastructure for CBC in secondary schools ahead of the transition.

His sentiments were echoed by KUPPET national deputy chairman Julius Korir who emphasized that the teachers are not well trained to handle grade seven and eight students.

“No teacher is ready and they have not been trained how this CBC will be, we are asking CS Magoha before we start grade seven and eight we would like the preparation to be done faster,” KUPPET deputy chair Korir stated.

Present during the meeting were sections of both national and Narok County branch officials.

Two separate sets of national examinations will be administered in 2022 before the next transition.

During the national tests to be administered in March and December, one group of candidates under the 8-4-4 education system will strive to get the most 100 percent marks.

The other group of candidates, pioneers of grade six under the 2-6-3-3-3 education system will be looking to increase their marks by 40 percent.