ECDE tutors take charge of primary classes as shortage persists

Most teachers fled Wajir, Mandera and Garissa counties in the wake of terror attacks targeting non-locals where tens of them were killed.

A majority remain unwilling to take up jobs in those regions leading to an acute shortage that is yet to be addressed.

As a result, most Early Childhood Development and Education tutors have been asked to take charge of some primary classes.

ECDE teachers are supposed to guide pre-primary learning and leave the children as they join Grade 1.

But that is not the case in Garissa and other counties in the terror-prone Northeastern region.

“Today, we have a number of ECDE teachers that we have employed to teach the upper classes because of the shortage," Garissa Governor Nathif Jama said on Saturday.

He was speaking during the official opening of Young Muslim Girls High School in Garissa town. Defence CS Aden Duale was the chief guest.

"We want you to talk the CS for Education so that the teachers are brought back to the schools ahead of re-opening,” Jama told Duale.

Other leaders who spoke also urged the CS to push for the deployment of more teachers to the region during the ongoing recruitment, saying the shortage has affected education standards especially in schools that are in far flung areas.

But the former Garissa Township MP while acknowledging that the region was indeed suffering from a shortage of teachers, said it was as a result of insecurity and challenged the leaders to do more to improve it by working closely with the security apparatus.

“I want to urge our leaders that we fully cooperate on this issue and find a lasting solution. Currently, we are constructing the Lapsset  project which is a huge investment, you see the kind of security we have put there, but you still hear what is happening those sides every other day. So we all need to give  security the seriousness it deserves and work with the security agencies,” Duale said.

Two weeks ago, three people were killed in Garissa in a suspected al Shabaab attack after the vehicle they were travelling in ran over an Improvised Explosive Device in Hailey.

The deceased were leading a convoy of two other vehicles whose occupants escaped the incident unhurt.

Last week, one person was killed and five including KDF soldiers injured in an attack by suspected al Shabaab militants along the Lamu-Ijara-Garissa road.

The victims were construction workers on Lapsset road.

The incident happened about seven kilometres from Bodhai Police Station/GSU camp in Garissa as the group headed to their work stations from a Chinese camp where they reside.

Duale said the government will act tough on anyone hell bent on destabilising security.

He at the same time said wananchi have a big role to play in ensuring peace and security is realised.

Northeastern region, parts of Coast and Rift Valley have witnessed cases of insecurity ranging from al Shabaab militants, banditry and cattle rustling. Several people have lost their lives and property worth millions has also been destroyed.

"As a government we will do everything possible to make sure we  protect Kenyans and their property. We will not compromise on that," the Defense CS said.

He went on, "But for that to be achieved you must also play your role by working closely with the security apparatus by identifying and reporting any threats when you come across them or identifying criminals elements hiding in your midst.”

 

 

 

-Edited by SKanyara