TSC Warns Against Teacher Preference for Urban Schools in Marsabit

By Samuel Kosgei

The Director of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Marsabit County, Ali Hussein Abdi, has urged teachers in the county to stop the practice of selecting preferred schools for posting, saying it is affecting the distribution of teachers, especially in rural areas.

Speaking during an education event held at Loglogo Primary School, Hussein expressed concern that some schools continue to suffer teacher shortages because some teachers refuse to report to their assigned stations, citing harsh living conditions and difficult environments in remote areas. He noted that many prefer schools located in urban centres or along the Merille–Moyale highway.

He further urged Marsabit leaders not to interfere with the TSC’s process of deploying teachers to areas experiencing shortages.

“We should not keep our children in a comfort zone. We should prepare them to work in all working conditions—both tough and favourable. Let them not choose where to work,” he said.

However, he praised the Member of Parliament for Laisamis for pushing for an increase in the number of teachers in the constituency, noting that Laisamis is currently not facing severe teacher shortages.

“Laisamis is one of the least understaffed constituencies in Marsabit, unlike some others that I would prefer not to mention,” Hussein said.

According to him, Laisamis received 22 teachers this term, 18 of whom were posted to secondary schools while four were assigned to primary schools.