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{
    "id": 817858,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/817858/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 438,
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    "content": "We cannot close schools in the north eastern region or have teachers from only that part of this country. Over the years, the education system has been diluted to the extent that, for example, you grow up in a village and go to nursery, primary and secondary schools in the same village. Finally, you will go to a university campus in the same village. We are not building a national character. Many years back, I went to Wajir High School and Nakuru High School. Many of us went to national schools and there was integration. If we have teachers from only one region, it will complicate matters further. Madam Temporary Speaker, Sir, this Motion has come at the right time and we require new policy direction, if at all the Ministry of Education is capable to drive that policy. At one time, we needed education for the pastoralists because they move from one place to another, but nothing has happened after over 50 years of Independence. We need a policy direction that can make teachers feel safe. It is unfortunate when teachers go on television and lie that they have been harassed, sexually abused or called names while the students are listening. I do not want to go back there. The teachers who were in the region wanted an excuse to be transferred out of the region and the TSC insensitively agreed with them. We want the TSC to exercise its mandate and the security department, as well, must play its role. There could be issues in the border towns with Somalia, but not the whole region. This Motion by Sen. (Dr.) Ali has come at the right time. The Motion is asking us to evaluate the status of education and infrastructure in the region. It is only the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) that has been doing a lot of work there, but we need more investment. As you are aware, education is a function of the national Government, but nothing stops the governors from building schools. If I were a governor, I would build schools and go to jail because of that. That is a better reason to go to jail than misusing money on other things, like it is happening in the region. You would actually contribute to the wellbeing of your region by investing in education. In Mandera and Wajir counties, there was a shortage of teachers and the county governments did a lot in terms of employing untrained teachers and the schools went on uninterrupted. Madam Temporary Speaker, this Motion has come at the right time and we need the support of every Kenyan and the Senate. We should not be emotional about these issues because at times they have been exaggerated. Let us stop exaggerating and go there to get the facts and see what best we can recommend to the authorities that be, for implementation. With those many remarks, I beg to support."
}