Worry over teacher shortage in West Pokot
Unionists and parents in West Pokot have expressed concern over the big tutor’s shortage crisis, a situation they say is contributing to learning gaps and dismal performance of schools in the region.
The understaffing isn’t a new phenomenon in the County, granted the it is classified under the once marginalised regions before the incoming of regional governments.
The situation has attracted the Kenya National Union of teachers (KNUT) attention, with the union saying the shortage of teachers in West Pokot County is now hitting a crisis level.
Union officials in the County are now calling for affirmative action in teacher’s employment in pastoral areas.
Rural and remote hotspot areas in West Pokot County are the most notorious for poor teacher-learners ratio. The problem is being attributed to poor pay and working conditions for teachers in the region, and as such many teachers have been fleeing the county ,opting for greener pastures.
Insecurity
Another factor contributing to the fleeing of teachers from the county, is insecurity where many non-local teachers deployed in hotspot areas have found themselves exposed to cattle rustling and banditry related violence.
Several teachers have lost their lives to such insecurity incidents .
Insecurity has created a vacuum where many schools lack sufficient number of teachers, consequently schools in the county have been observed to be on a downward trajectory in terms of their academic performance.
Naruoruo primary and Junior Secondary school in North Pokot, are a classic example of just how dire the situation is.
The school is home to a total of 484 learners and interestingly the school has only five teachers.
The school head teacher Evans Kuya who doubles up as JSS teacher explains: “This is a big challenge that should be addressed”.
Own tutors
The shortage of government teachers in West Pokot has forced parents to employ their own tutors.
“We have to sell our property to ensure that teachers employed by the school board of management are paid on time .We depend on the board of management teachers to enable our children to compete with others nationally. ,” says Mr John Lokuk, a parent from Kacheliba.
Another example is Lowoi School in Alale area, the school has a total of 150 learners but the school is surviving with only 4 teachers , 2 primary teachers and 2 JSS teachers.
“We are really struggling and sometimes we are forced to chase away learners to bring money to pay for BOG teachers in attempts to manage the situation,”The school’s head teacher ,Julius Kariuki, says.
The situation is no different at Cheptulel Boys High School , James Koitilo, the head teacher says most teachers flee the county due to insecurity even after teacher government placement by the TSC .
Deployment plea
The Knut officials who spoke to the Nation in Kapenguria called for the government to deploy more teachers in the county , while enhancing security to manage the teacher pupil ratio crisis in the county of West Pokot.
“It is at this time that it has come to the realization of the residents of West Pokot that education is very important. Education is an equalizer in these areas affected by banditry and cattle rustling activities , i want to urge the government to be more proactive and send us more teachers and at the same time , ensure security improves in the region ,” noted West Pokot Knut Executive Secretary Martin Sembelo.
Joel Partich, the West Pokot Knut Chairperson , has now called for replacement for those teachers who were delocalized back to the county , but are yet to report on duty to schools in the region.
“Some areas like Tororo in Muino, Nauyapong and Chesegon are hard and non-locals teachers are unable to cope up. Let the Government employ local teachers who are used to the environment and were raised there. Many quit jobs because of gun sounds in the region,” he said.
Now, local leadership has joined in the conversation , with Kacheliba MP Titus Lotee raising more concerns on the matter . According to the legislator, the huge shortage of teachers in the area is endangering the future of education in the county.
“We are facing a serious shortage of teachers in this area, for example in this ward of Kasei we have only four teachers who are employed by TSC, while the other teachers are paid by parents,” said Mr Lotee.
Previously , former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu noted that the Government is committed to ensure a teacher student ratio that is realistic and attainable by employing 20,000 more teachers who will address the acute shortage being witnessed in the country.
According to data by the West Pokot County Teachers Service Commission, the County has a deficit of 2,000 in primary and 800 in secondary schools.
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