MOE to hire 116,000 teachers by 2027, says PS Bitok
Kiptanui Cherono-KNA
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 current government has employed 76,000 teachers and plans to employ another 24,000 to reach 100,000 teachers by January next year.
Speaking in Turbo Constituency where he commissioned infrastructure projects in various schools constructed with the National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), Amb. Bitok, said the government is committed to ensuring that trained teachers get employment opportunities.
“What this government has achieved so far in teacher employment is a record compared to past governments. President Ruto has so far employed the largest number of teachers and is committed to employing more,” Bitok said.
“We are working on a system, in consultation with all stakeholders, that will ensure any teacher who graduates from university or teachers’ college gets employment letters directly, it’s a long-term plan, but we are working hard to ensure it works,” he added.
He said, “We know it is a bit expensive, but we are committed to making sure that every teacher who has gone to school to train as a teacher is absorbed directly, the same way the military and the police are absorbed immediately after training, we do not want to see qualified teachers wasting away in the villages because they are not employed.”
On school infrastructure, the PS said the government will construct 1,600 laboratories across the country between July and December this year, as part of its commitment to ensure quality education.
“The government is doing all it can to ensure our children get quality education, that is why two weeks ago we managed to release Sh2 billion in capitation to support schools in their management,” he added.
He said although the ministry has had challenges in disbursing capitation to schools due to exchequer issues, it will continue to liaise with the National Treasury, to ensure that in the future funds set aside for education reach schools on time.
Bitok added that the Ministry will continue strengthening the Kenya Education Management Information System, KEMIS, to assist in ensuring every school in Kenya receives funding according to the number of students they have.
On the ongoing registration of Grade Nine candidates in readiness for senior school next year, the PS urged parents to ensure they are present when their children select the subjects and pathways they wish to pursue.
“Parents, please be present with your child, as there must be an agreement among the JSS teacher, parents, and the student when selecting subjects. This is to avoid situations where it is alleged that teachers forced any student to choose specific subject areas,” said the PS.