A section of local leaders in Baringo have raised concern over the shortage of teachers in both primary and secondary schools across the seven sub-counties, a figure they estimated to be over 2,000.
Led by Senator William Cheptumo, the leaders called upon the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to move with speed and ensure that the shortfall is addressed in order to boost education standards in the county, which is facing a myriad of challenges,including cattle rustling and banditry vices.
Cheptumo, who spoke during the 28th graduation ceremony for Moi Teachers Training College, Baringo, presided over by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, observed that the seven sub-counties urgently need 646 teachers in the primary section, 311 in Junior Secondary (JSS), and 961 in secondary level.
Machogu expressed the government’s commitment to transforming the education sector, stating that this year alone, under the leadership of President William Ruto, they have recruited a historic 56,000 new teachers in both primary and secondary, a figure that has never been witnessed before.
The Education CS, while responding to delayed promotions of acting deputy principals, stated that TSC is aware of the challenge and will make a pronouncement soon in order to assist those institutions lacking enough personnel.
Mr. Cheptumo pointed out Tiaty East, West, and Baringo North as the notable areas in dire need of additional teachers, adding that affirmative action should be applied during recruitment to enable learners to get the opportunity to learn and compete with their counterparts in stable regions.
Cheptumo, accompanied by Woman Representative Florence Jematia and Baringo Central Member of Parliament Joshua Kandie, lamented the delayed promotions of acting deputy principals, which he said could assist in filling the existing shortfalls within some institutions in the county.
“We are requesting TSC to conduct interviews for deputy principals who have been in an acting capacity for a very long time in order for them to get promotion so that we can have substantive deputies in our schools,” he said.
Commenting on the issue of hardship allowance, the legislator noted that it is only Eldama Ravine constituency out of the six constituencies where civil servants, including teachers, do not draw the allowance.
Cheptumo asked why the constituency was not captured as a hardship allowance zone yet institutions bordering the area like Kericho, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Nakuru, which enjoy the same climatic conditions, are benefiting.
Jematia, who also called for the recruitment of more teachers in the county, urged learners to utilise and protect all the physical and learning facilities in their institutions for their own benefit and those to come later.
“We need to make sure that all amenities in our schools are well taken care of because they do not belong to us alone but to future generations,” the woman representative said.
Kandie urged both levels of government to team up to improve key infrastructural facilities in local learning institutions, noting that some were in a deplorable state.
He said that for learners to study in a conducive environment, they need to be supported in all aspects in order to succeed in realising their education dreams.
The Baringo Central legislator urged the ministry of education to consider providing capitation funds to teacher training colleges, noting that it will benefit many students from needy and poor backgrounds who have the thirst to join such institutions but lack fees.
The institution’s Senior Principal Dr. Silas Chepkwony, said in his remarks that the college, which has a student population of 714 after a drop in enrolment due to high entry grades some three years ago, currently requires an extra female hostel and a serious phase lift in the existing buildings, which have not seen refurbishment since it was started in 1991.
He expressed optimism that the college will soon receive the necessary support from all stakeholders so that it can continue to churn out quality professionals who will be dependable not only within the country but beyond.
During the event, the college graduated 305 teachers with upgraded diplomas in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE), Primary Teacher Education and Certificate in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE).
By Benson Kelio and Joshua Kibet
