Governor Evans Kidero to unveil 10,000 teachers housing units

President Uhuru Kenyatta with Governor Evans Kidero (middle) and Knut Secretary General Wilson Sossion at the conference Wednesday. [PHOTO: TABITHA OTWORI/STANDARD].

Nairobi teachers will be provided with 10,000 housing units in Uhuru and Embakasi estates, according to Governor Evans Kidero.

Mr Kidero said the county will also avail office space for Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), Kenya Primary School Head Teachers Association (Kepsha) and Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha).

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 8th Africa Regional Conference of the Education International at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre Wednesday, the governor said the programme is part of a task-force's recommendation formed to look at the county's education sector.

"Out of 300,000 teachers in the country, over 8,000 work in Nairobi's public schools. Most of them live under deplorable conditions," he said.

Nairobi county has 21 day nurseries, 178 pre-units, 205 primary schools, 82 secondary schools and 11 vocational/technical institutions.

EMERGING TRENDS

The governor said education systems worldwide are facing many challenges in the 21st century, hence students have to deal with emerging trends in the society that affects their holistic growth in the academic life.

He said it was only the teacher who was in a position to address such challenges as a professional, mentor and coach.

"Teaching entails imparting knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for moulding a child's behaviour to acceptable standards in society. That is why teachers' welfare is paramount," he added.

Kidero said the theme of the regional conference, which is Achieving Quality Education in Africa, directly impacts on students' growth.