Nyanza leaders have asked the Teachers Service Commission to hire on an affirmative action basis.
This, they said, will avert the shortage affecting many schools in the region.
The leaders who weighed in on the issue included Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara, Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu, Homa Bay Woman Representatives Joyce Osogo and her Siaya counterpart Christine Ombaka.
They said affirmative action would lead to the employment of native teachers, plugging in the vacuum left by those seeking transfers to their home counties.
“There is an ongoing trend in which teachers employed from other regions and posted in Nyanza apply for transfer later and return to their home regions. There is a need for TSC to employ teachers on affirmative action basis to address the shortage in Nyanza,” Obara said.
Speaking on Monday at Kojwach Primary School in Kabondo Kasipul constituency after unveiling the new NGCDF-funded classrooms, Obara said Homa Bay county has a shortage of more than 3000 teachers.
Obara, a member of the National Assembly Education committee, expressed concern over regional disparities in teacher employment.
“Shortage of teachers is worrying trend in Nyanza region and the government should address it amicably. We want more teachers employed in this region,” Obara said.
Buru said President William Ruto had already pronounced himself on teacher shortages.
"Let him employ teachers in Nyanza on an affirmative action basis to solve the matter,” Buyu said.
The Kisumu West MP expressed fear persistent shortages could compromise the quality of education in the region.
“The modern classrooms built in our schools will be of no value if there is shortage of teachers. I see our children not doing well academically if this continues,” Buyu said.
Governor Wanga said education is an important investment that will ensure a constant supply of productive people in future.
“My government has invested heavily in education and we have given 240 students full scholarships up to university,” Wanga said.
She said they are constructing 160 ECDE modern classrooms at a cost of sh160 in the current financial year.
