Roba decries shortage of teachers in Mandera

Mandera Governor Ali Roba has warned that the region risks having a generation of children who have never acquired education after the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) withdrew non-local teachers.

Roba noted that the shortage of teachers in the county stands at 1,849 for public primary schools and 517 in secondary schools. 

“We have 57 public secondary schools and 295 public primary schools, respectively. Due to TSC’s withdrawal of teachers, the shortage of teachers in Mandera County stands at 1,849 for primary schools whereas in public secondary schools the shortage is 517,” the governor explained.

He appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to help ensure equal access to basic education for the children of Mandera, Wajir and Garissa counties who are equally affected by TSC’s action.

“The impact of our children failing to access education is tantamount to socio-economic sabotage. Al-Shabaab has succeeded in stopping learning in our region. We risk having a generation of people who never acquired education,” Roba said.

The governor was speaking during disbursement of Sh110 million scholarships funded by the county government to needy students.

The funds will cater for fees of secondary and university education of 13,713 beneficiaries.

Roba said financial challenges was a major hindrance to access to education in the county.

“Direct and associated education costs are a barrier to brilliant children from poor backgrounds accessing education,” he stated. The bursary will support 8,312 students in secondary schools and 5,401 pursuing diploma and degree courses in colleges and universities. 

He noted that over the last five years, the county has disbursed Sh440 million to support needy bright students. Roba, however, decried how deteriorating security was hurting efforts of access to education.

“While children across the country resumed learning after the Covid-19 break, we are faced with a crisis in the education sector. Learning is paralysed in the county because of Al-Shabaab,” Roba stated.

At the same time, the governor noted that the county has high levels of poverty.

“Many residents lack basic facilities like connectivity to electricity, piped water and tarmac roads due to decades of marginalisation,” Roba said.