The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has issued an urgent plea to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to recruit more teachers to fill the gaps left by those retiring or leaving the profession for other opportunities. Gucha South Branch Executive Secretary Kennedy Nyakangi emphasized the necessity of this recruitment, highlighting that the current Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) demands comprehensive coverage, which requires a sufficient number of teaching personnel to cater to the inquisitive learners.
“We call upon the Minister for Education to collaborate with the TSC and employ more teachers if they want the CBC to succeed,” Nyakangi asserted. His remarks were made during an address to the Kenya Primary Schools Sports Heads Association (KEPSHA) teachers at Etago Sub-county in South Mugirango Constituency, where they were gathered to honor the retirement of Elijah Nyangweso.
Nyangweso, a dedicated teacher known for his enthusiasm in sports, was praised by Nyakangi, who encouraged his successor to follow in his footsteps. Nyangweso had been the chairman of the Primary Schools Sports Association (KPSSA) in Gucha for the past two decades, during which he played a pivotal role in helping numerous students excel in sports. Many of these students have gone on to secure employment with notable entities such as the Kenya Prisons Service and Kenya Breweries Limited.
Nyakangi also extended an invitation to Nyangweso to join other officials in overseeing the sub-county primary schools games competitions, which commenced on Tuesday in both Etago and Nyamarambe. The teams that qualify in the KPSSA games will gather at Cardinal Otunga Mosocho High School starting July 20.
In related developments, Kisii County Director of Education Philip Chirchir has urged teachers to ensure proper arrangements for schools traveling from remote areas of the sub-county, so that students can be accommodated near the competition venues. This, he noted, would alleviate the burden of long and tedious bus journeys. Chirchir recommended that teams coordinate with local schools like Kioge Girls, Sister Michael, Nyabururu, and Nyanchwa to secure accommodation for their participants.
The month of July promises to be bustling for Kisii County, with the upcoming Agricultural Show and the regional and National Secondary Schools Sports Competitions. Chirchir has appealed to the County Commissioner’s office to provide adequate security personnel during these events to ensure the safety of all participants.
As the education sector gears up for these activities, the call for the recruitment of more teachers remains a pressing issue. The success of the CBC, which aims to equip learners with necessary competencies, hinges on the availability of adequate teaching staff. The collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the TSC in addressing this demand will be crucial for the continued improvement and success of the education system in Kenya.
