The central government must do all what it takes to avert education crisis in NEP

Growing up in Arabia location in Mandera District, a small hamlet in Northern Kenyan, I remember with nostalgia my days in primary school. I largely attribute my success in life to the quality of education I received in those early days of my life.

The same can’t be said of the school-going children in my home village today following the recent mass transfer of non-local teachers by the Teacher Service Commission (TSC). TSC just removed the life support from the already struggling institutions in North Eastern region.   

Since Kenya attained independence, the people of the north have been severely marginalised by subsequent governments, and this has contributed to the underdevelopment the region has experienced. 

The state of education in the region is worrying. While I understand the TSC action was meant to protect the lives of non-local teachers, there is a big flaw in the decision. To me, it amounts to serious violation of the children’s right to education.

It is a win for the terrorists and a big setback for the people of North Eastern who are now caught between a rock and hard place.  

As the leaders in this region, we have stated our position. My heart goes out to the families of the teachers and civil servants who lost their lives in the line of duty.

They paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that their fellow Kenyans access the services they need from their government.

We have stood with the families of the fallen heroes and heroines by offering moral and financial support.

However, our Constitution recognises that “every person has the right to education”. The TSC action jeopardises this right and creates a serious gap in the education sector.

The TSC decision undermines efforts by the leadership of North Eastern to improve the quality of education in the region.

The Mandera County Government has made substantial investment to raise the bar in our educational institutions. The county developed from scratch a fully-fledged teachers training college and committed to sponsor all the trainees.  

Last week the county government organised one-day symposium to search for a local solution to the crisis in the education sector. We we came up with an 11-point proposal. But these recommendations have fallen on deaf ears.

As we look to address the insecurity menace, which is spiralling out of control, the Government should consider lowering the grades for entry into teaching colleges for candidates as previously mooted by former Education CS Amina Mohamed.

This has the potential to address the teacher shortage in this region. The affirmative action would have heralded a new dawn for Kenya’s marginalised north.

There is no excuse, the central government has a duty and obligation towards the people of North Eastern. The county governments of Garissa, Wajir and Mandera have done all it takes to compliment the efforts of the central government to ensure that we address the insecurity in our region.

To address the security challenges, both locals and security agencies have to work closely. Importantly, security agencies must build trust and confidence with locals who are the victims, and ensure swift response to terror attacks.

There is only one beneficiary in the TSC’s decision — Al Shabaab. Transferring teachers from the region is a win for the terrorists and a big setback for the people of the North Eastern.

We can’t afford to cede ground to terrorist groups. We should do whatever it takes to say no to their demands.

I call upon the TSC to rescind this decision and come up with an alternative solution. We can’t afford to renege on the right of every Kenyan child to access education.

Finally, I call upon President Uhuru Kenyatta to work with the leadership of North Eastern to resolve this issue that has the potential to taint his legacy.
 Mr Mohamed Arai is the Deputy Governor, Mandera County