Tana River County requires Sh55 million to fund educational programmes for its Technical and Vocational Educational Training Institutions (TVETS).

Governor Dhadho Godhana told senators that his administration was finding it difficult to provide quality classrooms due to the effects of flooding and drought.

Appearing before the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Betty Montet (nominated), Godhana said that its Early Childhood Education Centres (ECED) have a gap of 461 teachers.

“According to the ECD teachers’ scheme of service, 25 learners should be handled by one teacher and an assistant. Initially, during the onset of devolution, the County Government employed volunteers. We require 845 teachers. We have employed 384, leaving us with a gap of 461,” said Godhana.

The Tana River County boss disclosed that in Tana Delta Sub-County, there are 138 teachers, followed by Tana River (134), Tana North (64) and Bangale (48) teachers respectively.

However, senators took the governor to task as to why he had allocated Sh176 million for the Vocational Training Centres and allocated Sh90.8 million for Early Childhood Education Centres, yet Vocational Training is under the National government function.

However, Godhana responded that his administration has allocated Sh25 million for the school feeding programme.

Gothana charged that to adequately feed the 21,136 learners, the County Government requires Sh45.6 million annually.

“We are pleading with the Senate to increase allocation to the Counties. Our main challenge is underfunding. Tana River County has many challenges,” said Gothana.

He further disclosed that his administration has partnered with the World Food Programme (WFP) where the learners are given orange-flavoured sweet potatoes that is rich in energy and other nutrients.