Turbo: The government is committed to employing 116,000 teachers by the year 2027, Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS) Amb. Prof. Julius Bitok has said. The PS says already, the Kenya Kwanza Administration has employed 76,000 teachers and plans to employ another 24,000 to reach 100,000 teachers by January next year.
According to Kenya News Agency, speaking in Turbo Constituency where he commissioned infrastructure projects in various schools constructed with the National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), Amb. Bitok emphasized the William Ruto Administration's commitment to ensuring trained teachers get employment opportunities. He noted that the current government has set a record in teacher employment compared to past administrations.
Amb. Bitok elaborated on the government's plan to establish a system, in consultation with stakeholders, ensuring that any teacher graduating from university or teachers' college receives employment letters directly. He acknowledged the financial challenge but emphasized the commitment to absorb trained teachers in a manner similar to the military and police.
Regarding school infrastructure, the PS mentioned the government's plan to construct 1,600 laboratories across the country between July and December this year. This is part of the government's effort to ensure quality education. He also highlighted the recent release of Sh. 2 billion in capitation to support school management, despite challenges in timely disbursement due to exchequer issues.
Amb. Bitok also mentioned the ongoing efforts to strengthen the Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS) to ensure schools receive funding according to their student numbers. He addressed the registration of grade 9 candidates for senior school next year, urging parents to be present when children select subjects and pathways to ensure agreement between parents, students, and teachers, thus avoiding allegations of coercion in subject selection.