Updated Duties of Principals and Deputy Principals in JSS 2025
The management of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) in Kenya relies heavily on effective leadership provided by the Principal, also known as the Head of Institution (HOI), and the Deputy Principal, referred to as the Deputy Head of Institution (DHOI). These two roles are central to ensuring smooth administration, academic progress, and discipline within schools.
Their duties are defined to cover key areas such as financial management, curriculum implementation, staff supervision, student welfare, and maintaining a healthy relationship with the school community. Below is a breakdown of the core responsibilities of both the Principal and Deputy Principal in Junior Secondary Schools.
Duties and Responsibilities of the Principal (HOI)
The Principal is the overall head of the institution and serves as the school’s chief administrator and accounting officer. Their responsibilities go beyond daily management to strategic planning and compliance with government policies.
Key duties include:
- Accounting Officer of the School – Responsible for financial accountability and ensuring funds are used prudently.
- Setting Standards and Targets – Establishes academic and co-curricular goals for the school.
- Financial Management – Controls and monitors the school’s finances.
- Infrastructure Maintenance – Oversees the upkeep and development of school facilities.
- Curriculum and Co-Curricular Activities – Plans, develops, and supervises learning programs.
- Discipline Management – Maintains discipline among staff and students.
- Statutory Records and Admissions – Ensures proper record keeping, admission procedures, and approves testimonials and certificates.
- Examination Supervision – Oversees the registration and management of external exams.
- Deputy Oversight – Monitors and evaluates the performance of Deputy Principals.
- Policy Awareness – Keeps abreast of government education policies and ensures compliance.
- Correspondence Approval – Signs off all official school communication.
- Stakeholder Engagement – Maintains cordial relations with parents, school committees, alumni, and community stakeholders.
- Staff Management – Provides job descriptions and supervises support staff.
- Teaching Responsibility – Expected to teach a minimum of six lessons per week.
Duties and Responsibilities of the Deputy Principal (DHOI)
The Deputy Principal supports the Principal and ensures smooth day-to-day running of the school. Their duties are categorized into administration, academic, and special duties.
1. Deputy Principal – Administration
- Acts as Principal in their absence.
- Maintains admission registers, issues transfer certificates and testimonials (under Principal’s supervision).
- Monitors staff attendance and movement records.
- Prepares weekly duty rosters and ensures compliance.
- Compiles statistical data and prepares official returns.
- Presides over the school’s disciplinary committee.
- Oversees welfare of teachers and students.
- Coordinates Student Council meetings and reports resolutions to the Principal.
- Serves as second signatory to school accounts.
- Assigns class teachers and monitors attendance registers.
- Assists in handling school correspondence.
- Supervises non-teaching staff.
- Oversees non-academic co-curricular activities.
- Teaches at least eight lessons per week.
2. Deputy Principal – Academic
- Assists the Principal in all academic matters.
- Ensures schemes of work are up to date.
- Allocates teaching subjects to staff in consultation with the Principal.
- Prepares the school timetable with the timetable committee.
- Supervises Heads of Departments (HODs) and checks their lesson notes.
- Monitors teaching quality and tracks missed lessons.
- Ensures records of work are properly kept.
- Presides over the Examination Committee and ensures tests and exams are well managed.
- Maintains academic performance records and statistics.
- Oversees subject-based clubs and associations.
- Holds meetings with HODs and Year Tutors (with Principal’s approval).
- Assists in maintaining discipline among students and staff.
- Acts as a signatory to school accounts.
- Chairs the Speech and Prize-Giving Day Committee.
- Teaches at least eight lessons per week.
3. Deputy Principal – Special Duties
- Maintains overall school tone and a conducive learning environment.
- Oversees the maintenance of physical infrastructure.
- Ensures proper waste management, hygiene, and water supply.
- Coordinates school repairs and reports to the Principal.
- Supervises external invitational activities.
- Reinforces school social events and cultural activities.
- Supports other deputies in academic and co-curricular functions.
- Assists the Principal in school security matters.
- Acts as liaison between the school and Sub-County offices.
- Carries out any other duty assigned by the Principal.
- Teaches at least eight lessons per week.
The roles of the Principal and Deputy Principals in Junior Secondary Schools are central to school leadership and effective learning. While the Principal provides overall leadership and policy direction, the Deputy Principals ensure daily administration, academic excellence, and welfare of both staff and students. Together, they create an environment that fosters discipline, academic achievement, and holistic student development.
