The Kenya National Union of Teachers and politicians in Garissa have asked the government to protect teachers in North Eastern region against threats posed by Al Shabaab militia and other factors to improve learning in the region.
Led by the area Governor Mr. Nathif Jama and Garissa Township MP Mr. Dekow Mohammed, the leaders said that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that schools in all parts of the country have enough teachers who are well protected to carry out their duties.
Jama however, expressed regret that the locals in the region have refused to enroll for Teacher Training courses even after his administration pledged to give scholarships to students to pursue the courses.
“We have Garissa Teachers’ Training College here, we cannot keep blaming teachers from other regions for refusing to go to schools in places like Hulugho or other interior areas in the county because our young people have refused to enroll for teaching courses,” Jama said.
“How many local students are enrolled in teacher training colleges now? We have tried to speak to them and even introduced affirmative action and sponsorships for teacher training courses here but no one takes up the offer. If our own do not want to teach our children, why are we blaming others for refusing to teach here?” the Governor posed.
Dekow on his part urged the teachers to use their platforms and speak to their students and people in the communities on the importance of peaceful coexistence. He said that he would support the teachers through infrastructure development and provision of bursaries for students in need and other policy issues through Parliament.
KNUT Assistant National Treasurer Mr. Kullo Mohamed Sheikh, who was representing the Secretary General for the Garissa Branch Annual General Meeting said that teachers cannot deliver well if they do not feel safe in school.
“There has been a problem with the security of our teachers in the North Eastern region. I ask the government to put more effort into protecting our teachers. If the government sincerely wants to support education here, it should up the security measures so that our teachers feel secure,” Mohamed said.
“The buses transporting teachers during opening and closing of schools should also be escorted by police in these areas especially the Nairobi – Mandera and Wajir – Mandera routes,” he added.
He also thanked the President for setting up the task force on education reforms adding that the teachers fully support the implementation of all the recommendations.
“As a union, we want to be at the forefront in the implementation of the task force findings on education reforms. We will work with all stakeholders in the government to ensure that these reforms are carried out,” he said.
By Erick Kyalo
