Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif said they are encouraging and supporting students to take up teaching so they can have enough teachers.
“We have one challenge that students not only in Mandera but in northern Kenya don’t really like joining the teaching profession,” he said.
He said the focus is on primary schools, which have a huge shortage of teachers.
“We have the challenge with the entry grade to colleges after it was increased but we will overcome this problem,” Mohamed said.
He spoke at Uzima University in Kisumu during the second graduation ceremony where 179 graduands were awarded various degrees, diplomas and certificates.
The ceremony was presided over by Commission for University Education chairman Prof Nyaigotti Chacha.
Varsity chancellor Bishop Emeritus Zacchaeus Okoth, council chairperson Nelson Otieno, vice chancellor Dr Cosmas K’Otieno and deputy vice chancellor in charge of finance Dr Joseph Okal were present.
Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service chief executive Mercy Wahome attended.
The governor said the county has in the last 10 years reduced the gap in personnel, especially in the health sector.
“Health is a growing thing and of course we are continuing employing people and currently we don’t have a serious shortage in Mandera county in terms of personnel,” Mohamed said.
He pledged that his government will continue supporting students to make sure they achieve their goals.
The county government supports students from Mandera in various universities across the country.
Currently, there are 15 students at Uzima University benefiting from sponsorship by the Mandera government.
“The most disciplined institution I have ever interacted with, very professional and ethically right. They should continue with the good work,” he said.
The students are undertaking various courses ranging from certificate to degree.
“We give students a partial scholarship. It will not be possible to pay everybody's fees,” Mohamed said.
