West Pokot County Governor has voiced his displeasure with the shortage of teachers in the County saying it’s affecting the education standards. Currently, secondary schools have a deficit of 65% while primary schools have a deficit of 75%.
Speaking at Konyao secondary school in Kacheliba constituency, West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo said the current shortage may affect national results.
Lonyangapuo called for an affirmative action in the employment of teachers since the County is in dire need of more teachers. “It’s better if we have more teachers than structures, pupils can learn under trees with the help of trained teachers and excel,” he said.
He said residents had embraced education and many children are thirsty for education and urged the Ministry of Education in the County to get the true education frame in the region, “The County Teachers director should submit correct statistics about the teachers’ shortage so that the problem can be addressed immediately,” he said.
He asked TSC directors who don’t want to give exact information on what is happening on the ground to style up or resign.
The County boss reiterated that the County government has set aside over Kshs 60 million for construction of early childhood centers in North Pokot Sub County.
The West Pokot Governor said there was a need for the County to set up ECD centres in the region to help reduce the distance to schools.
“My government wants to ensure that children below five years access education close to their homes,” he said.
The region also lacks enough education facilities with Riwo ward having only two secondary schools due to the migration patterns of the locals. “We have come up with a blueprint that will see the education sector improve during my tenure,” said Lonyangapuo.
He said that he will establish a boarding school in the pastoralists’ areas in the county in order to keep the children in school when parents migrate in search of pastures and water.