The government has employed 17,000 additional teachers in the country in a bid to address the current deficit in public schools. 

Government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna said the new posts will support the 100 per cent transition policy from primary to secondary school in the country. 

Among those recruited, 5,000 are on permanent and pensionable terms while 12,000 are intern teachers already distributed across the country. 

“The government is working to ensure all learners in school get quality education and that will be achieved through tackling the current shortage of teachers,” said Oguna. 

Comprehensive cover

Speaking at Lake Nakuru National Park yesterday, Oguna added that the teachers have been provided with an enhanced Covid-19 comprehensive cover, in a bid to meet medical costs if they contract the virus. 

According to Oguna, the government had allocated Sh1.9 billion for the purchase of locally assembled desks saying the program is almost complete and all schools will have desks soon. 

He said the move to have government officers visit schools to assess its preparedness was meant to evaluate how the education sector was fairing. 

“We are almost at 95 per cent in reopening and we want to thank parents for cooperating,” said Oguna. 

On the rising lakes, Oguna noted that a number of schools especially in Baringo county had been flooded but the government has distributed tents to ensure learners continue with their studies. 

Oguna said over 95 per cent of learners have resumed classes saying they have disbursed over seven million masks to schools within the country. 

He said the masks will be given to learners from needy backgrounds calling on teachers to get details on those unable to secure masks and distribute accordingly. 

“School managers must ensure all learners observe the regulations from wearing of masks to washing of hands and social distancing,” said Oguna.