MPs Rally Against TSC’s Handling of Teacher Shortages
Leaders from North Eastern have criticized the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), labeling it as the weakest link in efforts to enhance education standards. Abdikadir Hussein (Lagdera), Adan Daud (Wajir East), and Yussuf Farah (Wajir West) conveyed their concerns during a gathering in Bura East hosted by MP Salah Yakub (Fafi). They expressed frustration over the TSC, which they perceive as a hindrance to addressing education challenges in the region.
Yakub, who recently launched a free milk program for public primary schools in his constituency, highlighted the potential erosion of gains due to the shortage of teachers. Despite the initiative leading to increased enrollments, the mismatch between student numbers and available teachers poses a significant threat to education standards, according to Yakub.
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The legislator lamented that their appeals to TSC to post more teachers, addressing the enrollment surge and replacing those who left due to insecurity, have been ignored. Hussein emphasized their commitment to preventing school dropouts due to fees and noted the allocation of Sh76 million in bursary cheques for needy secondary students and 60 teachers training at Garissa Teachers’ College.
While acknowledging the long-term solutions, Hussein urged TSC to address the immediate teacher shortfall in schools, especially considering the infrastructure improvements and school equipment undertaken by leaders in their constituencies.
Farah accused TSC of neglecting the task force’s recommendation, released by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms in August.
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The recommendation sought to lower entry grades for students from the region to join teachers’ colleges. Farah pledged to fight against any plans by TSC to deny students certification, hindering their chances to train as teachers.
Highlighting the acute shortage of teachers in primary and secondary schools due to non-local teachers leaving the region over the past decade, Daud called for parliamentary intervention to reduce the considerable power wielded by TSC, which he held responsible for the country’s education problems.
TSC staffing data in Mandera County revealed 1,387 local teachers, with 889 being non-locals. In Wajir, 1,221 teachers are non-locals, while Garissa has 808 locals and 1,136 non-local teachers. The departure of non-local teachers has exacerbated the teacher shortage, posing a significant challenge to education in the affected regions.
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MPs Rally Against TSC’s Handling of Teacher Shortages
