Pressure Mounts on Government over ‘Systemic Breakdown’ in Junior Secondary Schools

The government is facing mounting pressure to act after a vocal education advocate warned that the Junior Secondary School (JSS) sector is “on the brink of systemic breakdown” due to unresolved structural and staffing failures.

Kirui Geoffrey, widely known as Kaka Jeff, has issued a blunt public appeal accusing the Ministry of Education of dragging its feet on critical reforms, including granting autonomy to JSS institutions and confirming teachers deployed under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

In a strongly worded statement, Kirui said JSS learners and teachers are bearing the brunt of what he described as “policy paralysis” within the education system.

“The JSS sub-sector is facing unprecedented challenges,” he told Bomet Newswire.

“Institutions are under-resourced, teachers are demoralized, and students are paying the ultimate price. Without urgent intervention, the quality of education is at serious risk,” he added

Kirui pointed to widespread infrastructure gaps—shortages of classrooms, ill-equipped laboratories, and insufficient teaching materials—saying the government has left teachers to “improvise their way through a national education reform.”

He faulted the lack of autonomy for JSS institutions, arguing that rigid administrative controls have crippled school leadership and delayed timely decision-making.

According to him, many schools are stuck in a bureaucratic limbo, unable to plan or respond to pressing needs.

He also took aim at the delayed confirmation of JSS teachers, warning that the prolonged uncertainty has fueled frustration and anxiety among educators.

“Teachers cannot deliver effectively when their future is unclear. The government owes them clarity, stability, and respect,” he said.

Teachers’ unions have repeatedly raised similar concerns, warning that continued delays threaten to destabilize the CBC rollout and undermine learning outcomes nationwide.

Kirui urged the government to abandon what he termed a “top-down, tone-deaf approach” and instead engage teachers, parents, and education experts in reviewing the JSS framework.

He insists that genuine reform can only emerge from ground-level realities, not boardroom assumptions.

His warning comes amid growing public outcry over overcrowded classrooms, erratic resource allocation, and confusion surrounding the implementation of the new curriculum.

Several education reports have cautioned that without decisive action, the long-term success of the CBC may be at risk.

With pressure building, attention now turns to the Ministry of Education, which is yet to respond to the concerns raised.

Stakeholders say the government’s next steps will determine whether the JSS system stabilizes—or continues its slide into deeper crisis.