For teacher Raphael Welimo from Matungu Sub-County, Kakamega County, changes in Kenya’s education sector are offering a renewed sense of hope to both educators and young graduates. He says teachers previously struggled with financial challenges and limited support, but believes increased investment in education, teacher development and internship opportunities is beginning to change that experience.
Highlights
- Raphael Welimo says teachers previously struggled with inadequate financial support.
- He credits increased government investment with improving the education sector.
- Teacher internships are giving young graduates an opportunity to gain experience.
- He says reforms in teacher training are strengthening the profession.
- Welimo believes education opportunities should remain accessible to students regardless of their financial background.
Main Story
A Different Experience for Teachers
Welimo, who works as a teacher in Matungu, Kakamega County, says the teaching profession has gone through a major transformation.
Reflecting on the past, he recalls a period when teachers faced financial difficulties and struggled to access benefits such as housing, medical support and travel allowances. He also says many teachers found it difficult to secure loans from financial institutions.
According to Welimo, parents also had to shoulder significant responsibilities in schools, with Parent-Teacher Association contributions often helping fund classrooms and improve learning facilities.
Government Investment in Education
Welimo believes the situation is changing as more resources are directed towards education infrastructure and the development of teachers.
He says investment in schools is important not only for learners but also for creating an environment where teachers can perform their duties with greater dignity and confidence.
For him, the focus on teacher development is particularly significant because the quality of education depends heavily on the people delivering it in classrooms.
Internship Opportunities for Young Graduates
Welimo also points to teacher internship programmes as an important source of hope for young Kenyans entering the job market.
He says graduates who may previously have faced uncertainty after completing their studies now have an opportunity to gain classroom experience while building towards longer-term career prospects.
For many young professionals, he argues, securing an internship can provide the first step towards establishing themselves in their chosen field.
Changes in Teacher Training
The teacher also welcomes the restructuring of teacher training institutions, saying the changes could contribute to a stronger and more organised education system.
As both an educator and a parent, Welimo says he is encouraged by measures aimed at supporting teachers and improving access to opportunities for learners.
He further highlights affordable housing initiatives for public servants and government support for university students as developments that can ease some of the pressures facing Kenyan families.
Looking Ahead
Welimo believes the direction taken in education under President William Ruto will create a benchmark against which future administrations will be judged.
For him, the bigger measure of reform is whether teachers can work with dignity, graduates can see a pathway into employment, and students can pursue education without financial barriers bringing their dreams to a halt.
For Welimo, meaningful education reform is ultimately measured not only by new buildings and policies, but by whether teachers, graduates and students can look ahead and genuinely believe better opportunities are within reach.
