Untrained teachers hired to avert crisis

Mandera, Kenya: Governor Ali Roba's administration is recruiting school leavers to take up teaching jobs.

This after more than 2,000 teachers defied an order by the national government to return to their stations in North Eastern over insecurity.

Speaking during a workshop on health, Governor Roba said the move was aimed at ensuring that learning continues even as the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) solves the impasse.

"We had to find a solution to this intricate challenge facing us," Mr Roba noted.

The governor said due to the stand-off, pupils were being forced to attend school on weekends to compensate for the lost time.

"Currently, only 400 teachers employed by the TSC are yet to report to their places of work, but we are optimistic about their return,"Roba added.

More than 1,000 teachers have been camping at the TSC headquarters in Nairobi, demanding to be moved to other areas over rising insecurity in the region and alleged harassment by locals.

"About 250 teachers have reported back in the last two weeks and we hope the few who are remaining will follow suit," he said.

Increased patrols

He said ward representatives, who were former teachers, and other residents with a teaching background have taken up teaching duties at the institutions to bridge the deficit.

He said security has been stepped up in the region and urged the teachers who have not reported to their stations to do so.

"The Government has increased police patrols and deployed more security officers to the area to avert possible attacks by Al-Shahaab militants," he stated.

The governor at the same time said the county government has so far spent Sh1.2 billion, which translates to 15 per cent of its total budget, on the health sector in the current financial year.

"We have rehabilitated our health centres, equipped them and hired the staff to ensure our people get better healthcare," he said.