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{
    "id": 562335,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/562335/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 306,
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "“To further support the demand for increased enrolment, I am proposing to allocate Kshs2.3 billion for recruiting an additional 5,000 teachers.” The shortfall of teachers nationally for primary schools is 42,251 and 45,498 for secondary schools. The total is close to about Kshs90,000. Imagine if we were to recruit only 5,000 nationally every year. We would take probably 20 years to cater for staffing deficit. I am equally appalled by the allocation to the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in schools. There is Kshs17.58 billion for learning devices to schools, development of digital content, building capacity of teachers and rolling out of computer laboratories for Class Four to Class Eight in schools throughout the country. If there are not enough teachers, why is the Government allocating close to Kshs18 billion for ICT? That allocation is important but there are not enough teachers in schools. How can the Government allocate only Kshs2.3 billion for the recruitment of teachers? That is a mismatch of priorities. We need to put our priorities right. I urge my colleagues on both sides to demand that untrained teachers be recruited. The Government should also maybe help us through a crash programme to train students in Garissa Teachers Training College. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, there is misreporting in the Press that the Garissa Teachers Training College students ran away. This happened because of incitement by the teachers union. The teachers union must mind the welfare of the students in this country, as much as they mind about the welfare of teachers. Close to 100 students have left and I want to thank the Cabinet Secretary, Prof. Kaimenyi, for making sure that the college does not close down. People must go back because Garissa and Wajir are safe now like any other part of the country. Except for isolated incidents everything else is running well. If we do not want to work as one nation, then ethnicity will continue to thrive and things shall fall apart. But, God forbid, that will not happen. The Senate is the voice of reason. I want to urge my colleagues to actually support this Motion, so that we can actually move together. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I wish to conclude by saying that what we are facing currently constitutes a crisis and an emergency. I beg to move and call upon my brother, Sen. (Prof.) Lonyangapuo, to second this Motion."
}