STEM Teacher Gap: KUPPET Wants Teaches Employed Ahead of 2025 Grade 9 Enrollment
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has urged the government to increase teacher recruitment ahead of the enrollment of Grade 9 students in 2025.
According to KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori, teachers are the primary resource necessary for schools preparing for this transition.
He emphasized that without teachers, the educational system would face significant challenges.
Misori highlighted that while other resources can be managed, the presence of teachers is indispensable for learners.
He stressed the urgency of employing more teachers to address current resource deficits in schools. The allocation and deployment of these teachers, he added, should align with the specific needs of the curriculum.
Regarding the shortage of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) teachers, Hassan Farah, Chairperson of the Kenya Primary Schools Headteachers Association for North Eastern, expressed concern.
He noted that the region lacks teachers specialized in STEM subjects, which are crucial for effective education.
Farah also pointed out the insufficient infrastructure in schools, including classrooms, laboratories, and sanitation facilities.
He highlighted recent damage caused by floods and winds, underscoring the urgent need for reconstruction and improvement.
Meanwhile, Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang announced the government’s plan to provide 16,000 classrooms by January to accommodate Grade 9 students.
He assured that the government is committed to fulfilling its responsibility in this regard.
Furthermore, the government has pledged to hire 26,000 teachers on contract starting July 1, 2024, to support Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers.
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This initiative aims to bolster the teaching workforce in preparation for upcoming educational reforms.
As schools nationwide prepare for Grade 9 enrollment, headteachers have raised concerns over the availability of essential resources such as desks, chairs, and functioning sanitation facilities.
While plans for classroom construction are underway, the need for comprehensive resource provision remains a pressing issue.
STEM Teacher Gap: KUPPET Wants Teaches Employed Ahead of 2025 Grade 9 Enrollment
