Ruto challenges Form 4 leavers from pastoralist communities to take up teaching courses

President William Ruto with other leaders in Mandera town.

President William Ruto has called on Form 4 leavers from pastoralist communities to take up teaching courses to fill the huge void currently being experienced in most schools in the region.

Many students in the region have in the past shied away from taking up teaching courses, opting for other courses. This is despite numerous efforts and campaigns from leaders for a change of mentality.

Speaking at Mandera Teachers’ Training College at the start of his three-day tour to the region, the Head of State said that initially pastoralists were reluctant to go for teaching courses in colleges.

“I want to challenge you pastoralists, because I am also one. You know, initially, pastoralists were reluctant to pursue teaching courses that they deemed small. The jobs they wanted were those that were deemed to be ‘big’ like doctors or managers at a certain place.”

He added, "I want to ask you who will teach our children then. We must have teachers teaching in our schools.”

Ruto, who is accompanied by his deputy Kithure Kindiki and several Cabinet secretaries led by Aden Duale (Environment) and a host of local leaders—Mandera governor Aden Khalif and Senator Ali Roba.

The president commended the students who have taken up teaching courses.

“I must congratulate you people for taking up the noble responsibility of teaching our children. Because you will shape the future of our communities and nation through your mentorship and through the teaching you are going to do for our children. That is why I said I must come to these Mandera teachers to see what is going on and also to support you in the way that I think we should," Ruto said.

The president disclosed that the government has allocated 900 slots to Mandera county in the recent teacher recruitment.

The issue of teacher shortages in Northeastern counties has been brought about by insecurity caused by al-Shabaab militants who target non-local teachers.

Many non-local teachers in the Northeastern region sought transfers when at least 28 teachers were killed when the bus they were traveling in was attacked while traveling from Mandera.

Then came the Garissa University attack in April 2015 that left 148 people dead and scores injured. Most of whom were taking teaching courses.

Following the attack, some 909 teachers pitched camp at the TSC headquarters, demanding to be moved from Northeastern.

The commission instructed the teachers to report back to their stations, but a number opted to resign.

After the mass transfer of non-local teachers from the region, the TSC restricted applications for employment to exclusively hire residents.

In 2021, the TSC Board noted a biting teacher shortage in Northeastern following extensive stakeholder engagements. The commission then reopened applications for employment of non-local teachers.