Teacher shortage worries Malindi
Pupils in a classroom. Laptops may not be available in Malindi sub-county due to a teacher shortage and lack of infrastructure. PHOTO/FILE
What you need to know:
- Upweoni Primary School took part in the pilot project last year and the response was “awesome”. She added: “Children are excited when they see technology but digitisation phobia has really taken toll of our teachers. Very few have the skills,” she lamented.
Laptops may not be available in Malindi sub-county due to a teacher shortage and lack of infrastructure.
Education officer Mary Kamurua said, her office had not received the list of schools that would get the devices.
She said that officials were waiting for official communication from the Kenya Curriculum Board.
TEACHERS SCARED
“It is good as it attracts pupils to class but we lack the expertise and infrastructure,” she added.
Mrs Kamurua said Upweoni Primary School took part in the pilot project last year and the response was “awesome”.
She added: “Children are excited when they see technology but digitisation phobia has really taken toll of our teachers. Very few have the skills,” she lamented.
The pilot at Upweoni primary in Malindi Town proved that if schools were properly equipped and teachers trained well, using laptops would be a success.
Teachers at the school said they were not trained on the use of the gadgets and how they would handle their various disciplines electronically.
Kenya National Union of Teachers Malindi sub-county chairlady Kadzo Unda said that with a teacher shortfall of 500 in the 70 public primary schools, the Teachers Service Commission should act fast to fill the gap.
“If we get 500 teachers today, we can start tomorrow without delay,” she said.
Ms Kadzo requested the government to build modern classrooms especially in rural areas.
She also called for the improvement of existing schools and construction of new ones.
