By Godfrey Wamlwa
Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong has revealed that Early Childhood
Development Education (ECDE) teachers will receive salary increase.
Addressing mourners during the burial of retired ECDE teacher the late
Kevina Apali Ekeya, 69, at Ng’elechom in Teso South Sub County, the
Governor said ECDE teachers play a crucial role in moulding learners.
” My Government will increase their salaries to match other teachers.
I want ECDE teachers to own cars like other teachers considering that
they are doing a good job at the grassroots,” he said.
He noted that his government which has at least two ECDE teachers who
are employed by the county government in every public ECDE centre will ensure each public school has an ECDE classroom this financial year.
Busia county employed 439 teachers on a permanent basis beginning
February, 2020 with plans to the same to over 500 who are still on
contract.
The 439 instructors were hired in 2017 and offered a two-year contract
that ended in December 2019. After their absorption into the system another 559 were employed on contract.
The Governor said the move to improve the status of ECDE teachers is
aimed at stabilizing early learning and setting a strong base for
children’s education.
On May 29, 2019, Ojaamong launched the distribution of ECDE
instructional material across the county, saying his administration
was dedicated to employing a sufficient number of ECDE educators.
The Council of Governors’ summit is still lobbying with President
Uhuru Kenyatta for the national government to take over the payment of ECDE teachers on permanent and pensionable terms.
The ECDE subsector of education is guided by the ECDE Policy, which
seeks to ensure children enrolled for the programme get education
geared towards the development of their mental and physical
capabilities.
It also envisages at making sure early learners enjoy living and
learning through play, besides uplifting their self-esteem and
self-confidence.
