Mandera MCA’s pass a bill to allow the govenor to offer bursury to students seeking to train as teachers

MANDERA—Mandera County Assembly Wednesday passed a bill that would allow the county government to employ and pay teachers in an attempt to plug the gap left by the non-local teachers.

The Mandera County Education Bursary Amendment Bill was passed Wednesday morning at the county assembly chambers in Mandera. The bill is now awaiting approval from the county governor, Cpt. Ali Roba.

The county assembly building in Mandera. (Photo: The county govt press service)

The bill will allow the executive arm of the county government to offer sponsorship to students seeking to take up teaching courses as the region grapples with teachers shortage following the mass transfer of non-local teacher to other parts of the country.
According to the county minister for Education and Sports, Mohamud Omar Absiye, the county is preparing to roll out a wider scheme to plug the gap left by the non-local teachers.
Speaking to Wajir Times on phone, Mr. Absiye said the county has recruited 460 ECD teachers, who teach both upper and lower primary classes, and 840 others teaching upper and secondary classes. He added that the lowest entry point for those willing to train and teach primary schools is D+ while those of secondary is C+.
“Mandera was not in education crisis even before the mass transfer of the non-local teachers. Wenow only have a shortage of less than 60 teachers,” he said. He added that the teachers who are on the county payroll are attending to students as their colleagues who are members of unions like KNUT continue to boycott classes over payment disagreement with the government.
“An international orgernisation has sponsored 87 more students to train as teachers at Garissa Training College,” Absiye added.