Ijara MP Abdi Ali is giving full sponsorship to trainee teachers pursuing Diplomas in Primary Education at the Garissa Teachers Training College.
According to the MP, the move is the only way he can address the acute teacher shortage in his constituency.
Speaking during a meeting with recipients of the sponsorship and teachers at the Institution on Saturday, Abdi said the sponsorship will cost Sh7.2 million annually, and funds will come from the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
“The community needs you and that is why we have decided to give you full scholarships. We have a lot of teacher challenges in Ijara and that is the decision we have taken to have a local solution. The local solution is introducing free sponsorship for teachers pursuing a Diploma in Primary Education. That is the only way to solve the lack of teachers in Ijara," he said.
“We cannot depend on Kenyans from other parts of the country and it is a decision we have made as leaders that is why we have chosen to sponsor a minimum of 100 students per year and with time it will solve the problem.”
He noted that the program that started last year has now seen at least 64 students enrol at the institution under the program.
During his address, Abdi insisted that while they aim to address the teacher shortage, the sponsorship will be given on merit.
He said that they will track the performances of all who have been awarded the full scholarship.
“I promised Ijara people that I will sponsor Diploma Primary Education and I'm glad last year we started with seven people and this year, enrolment has increased from seven to 64. Basically because of the sponsorship and also because as leaders we have pushed for the removal of the subject cluster, which has increased enrolment for Diploma Primary Education,” Abdi reiterated.
“We will evaluate your performance. Next time you apply for NG-CDF we will want also see your results. We will follow up on your assessment with the management, so you guys work hard.”
He added that he aims to have at least 300 teachers deployed within three years.
Ijara, which is part of the North Eastern region of Kenya has seen an exodus of non-local teachers over insecurity, among other issues.