The Plight and Suffering Of ECDE Teachers
Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers in Kenya have been facing numerous challenges. One of the major challenges that have negatively impacted their wellbeing and career growth is poor remuneration.
This has made it difficult for them to sustain their livelihoods and support their families. It is well known that teaching is a noble profession, but not for Kenyan ECDE teachers.
Recently, there has been an uproar in Kenya regarding the Salaries and Remuneration Commission’s job evaluation grading exercise for Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) teachers.
ECDE teachers in Kenya receive salaries that are much lower than their counterparts in primary and secondary schools.
The grading results showed that the approved basic salary ranges from a maximum of Ksh. 8,700 at entry level to a maximum of Ksh. 19,094 for the highest level, senior ECDE teacher 1, with 15 years’ experience.
Despite the SRC’s clarification that media reports of an approved salary of Ksh. 7000 were not accurate and only based on basic pay and did not factor in things like house allowance and commuter allowance, the fact remains that a senior ECDE teacher with a diploma and 15 years of experience is to get a basic pay of Ksh. 15,000 to Ksh. 19,000.
Meanwhile, an entry-level ECDE teacher’s basic pay ranges from Ksh. 7,836 to Ksh. 8,717, which is half the minimum wage set by the government.
SRC advised a gross remuneration for the lowest cadre of ECDE teacher in Nairobi at between Ksh. 14,961 and Ksh. 15,842 and those outside Nairobi at between Ksh. 13,211 and Ksh. 14,092, which is still lower than the minimum wage set by the government.
This is a clear indication that teachers are not valued in the country. Their role in laying the foundation for citizens is neither not being taken seriously.
The low salaries of ECDE teachers have led to high levels of poverty, job dissatisfaction and a lack of motivation. This in turn has resulted in high rates of attrition, which is detrimental to the quality of early childhood education in the country.
ECDE teachers play a critical role in teaching children how to read, hold a pen, write, speak, and even lay the foundation for primary, high school teachers, and university lecturers.
Yet, they are being paid less than minimum wage and have to deal with delayed disbursement of funds, which results in salary delays. It is simply unacceptable.
ECDE teachers often work in harsh and challenging conditions, with limited resources and inadequate infrastructure.
Many ECDE centres in Kenya lack basic facilities, such as adequate classroom space, furniture and teaching aids, which are necessary for providing quality education.
The teachers are expected to deliver lessons with limited resources, which can be a hindrance to the learning process. This has made their work even more challenging, and it has also impacted the development and education of young children.
The SRC’s justification for ECDE teachers’ low pay is based on the “affordability and fiscal sustainability” of the wage bill for county governments.
However, this logic should also be applied to members of Parliament, who are seeking another pay increase, and are currently earning Ksh. 5000 per sitting. This raises the question of what and who is valued in the country.
The SRC’s job evaluation grading exercise for ECDE teachers is a clear indication of the lack of value placed on teachers in Kenya.
In addition to poor salaries and working conditions, ECDE teachers in Kenya face numerous other challenges, including a lack of professional development opportunities, poor recognition and status, and limited career progression opportunities.
This has made it difficult for ECDE teachers to advance their careers and improve their livelihoods. The poor state of ECDE teachers in Kenya is a matter of concern and requires urgent attention from the government and other stakeholders.
To improve the status and wellbeing of ECDE teachers, there is need for fair and adequate remuneration, professional development opportunities, and improved working conditions.
This will help to attract and retain highly qualified and motivated ECDE teachers, and ensure that young children receive quality education and are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful future.
Improving the status and wellbeing of ECDE teachers is an investment in the future of Kenya, and it is essential for the country’s social and economic development.
It is high time that the government recognizes the important role ECDE teachers play in shaping the future of the country and pays them a fair wage that meets the minimum wage set by the government.
We have to decide who we are as a country and what we value. Paying ECDE teachers less than minimum wage is simply unacceptable.
The Plight and Suffering Of ECDE Teachers