Kaimenyi: Garissa TTC will not be closed down

Garissa Teachers College will not be closed down, Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi said on June 24, 2015.

Prof Kaimenyi said security in Garissa had improved and the college and students on teaching practice “are guarded 24 hours”.

He said it would be unconstitutional to close the college since everybody had a right to education. He added that such an action would balkanise the country.

“Second year students sitting their final Primary Teacher Examinations in July 2015 should be assured of their security and are facilitated to complete the course through constant reassurance and counselling,” a statement from the ministry to newsrooms said.

First year students who have refused to go back to the college were advised to request for deferment in writing. They will resume studies in September 2016.

Students, a majority of them First years, marched to Jogoo House, Nairobi on Wednesday last week demanding to be transferred to other colleges.

The college management is also required to develop a detailed budget for security measures that need to be put in place and request for funding from the county government and the ministry.

Garissa governor was requested to offer financial support for security.

Prof Kaimenyi said the Education Ministry would soon consider providing money for fencing the institution.

A perimeter wall will be built in critical areas while the rest will be fenced with a chain link or barbed wire.

Despite these assurances, many students interviewed said they did not intend to go back to Garissa.

Those who have opted to return say they will not put up in college hostels for fear of a similar attack on Garissa University College in early April that claimed 148 lives.