The country has a shortage of 100,000 teachers for primary and secondary schools, according to a Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) senior official.
Narok Branch Executive Secretary Charles Ng’eno says the shortage puts the teacher – learner ratio at 1:70 instead of 1:30, which he terms as worrying.
Speaking during a talk-show, he noted that if the country is to attain its academic agenda, there is need to address the shortage, noting that the government has enough funds.
“The country is having a shortage of 100,000 teachers both for primary and secondary schools. The shortage initially stood at 150,000 but over 40,000 have been hired. At least we are happy with this,” he said.
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He decried the rising cases of mental health problems among teachers, saying the union is pushing for the devolvement of the Wellness Unit at TSC.
He lauded a mentorship programme rolled out by the commission, which he said has helped reform many alcoholic teachers in the country.
Concerning discipline among students, Ng’eno called for policy change and posting of trained chaplains to all schools to help tackle spiritual and psychological issues among students.
“We have seen cases of indiscipline going up in the country. As a union, we are appealing for a change of policy and hiring of chaplains to serve in our schools. To help in this, the union will continue pushing for the election of more teachers to Parliament to help in this process,” he said.
By Kimutai Lang’at
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