Disparities in ECDE Management Across Counties as Committee Recommends Legislative Actions
Marakwet MP Toroitich Timothy Kipchumba has expressed apprehension regarding the disparities observed in the management of Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) centers across different counties.
Addressing the National Assembly Committee on Education and Research, Kipchumba emphasized the absence of uniformity and standardization in the management and operation of ECDEs nationwide. He highlighted that each county currently enforces its own set of laws governing ECDE management.
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According to Kipchumba, this approach could lead to discrepancies in curriculum, management, and remuneration, causing disparities. In seeking a statement from Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, Kipchumba specifically pointed out the disparity in the remuneration of ECDE teachers across counties.
Kipchumba argued that while ECDE is a devolved function, the national government is responsible for providing policy, standards, and guidelines. He urged the government to establish a clear directive for setting up a uniform legislation managing ECDEs to prevent issues of standardization and varied curricula at the county level.
During the committee session, Dr. Kipsang responded by indicating that the government has a budget addressing policy matters within primary education, including ECDEs. He clarified that ECDEs have not been excluded from this budget.
Dr. Kipsang further explained the government’s role in handling curriculum design, approval of instructional materials, and the assessment of learners in ECDE. He highlighted the involvement of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development in designing and approving instructional materials under the Competence-Based Assessment framework.
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In 2022, the Senate Standing Committee on Education conducted an inquiry into various issues within the education sector, including the development of legal frameworks, policies, and guidelines.
The committee’s report recommended oversight from the Senate and county assemblies to ensure the scheme of service for ECDE teachers is implemented across all 47 county governments.
Additionally, the Ministry of Education was urged to expedite the development and finalization of the school meals policy with representation from the Council of Governors (CoG), civil society organizations (CSOs), development partners, and line ministries in the Technical Committee.
County assemblies were advised to consider enacting legislation to increase the annual budgetary allocation to the ECDE sector to at least ten percent of the county revenue, with half of the allocation dedicated to the ECDE sub-sector.
The committee called for a review and harmonization of pre-primary education policies by the Senate, CoG, and County Assemblies Forum, along with collaborative efforts from the Ministry of Education and CoG to standardize Early Childhood Education across the country through quality standards and rigorous monitoring and evaluation.
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Disparities in ECDE Management Across Counties as Committee Recommends Legislative Actions
