By Nelly Kosgey
The Principal Secretary for Basic Education Dr. Belio Kipsang has told the Senate Committee on Education to ensure Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) teachers are well remunerated as they play a very critical role at the pre-primary level of education.
Dr. Belio said ECDE teachers have a major responsibility of preparing and shaping learners for their future education and they are also the first to interact and induct every child to the school life journey.
He said that the ongoing conversation on pay cuts affecting ECDE teachers is a concern that should be given special attention.
“As you undertake your oversight role, we are asking you to negotiate on behalf of the ECDE teachers of this country with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) so that they can be paid what they deserve,” he said.
The PS made his remarks while making a presentation on Kenya’s Education Architecture, Legal and Policy Framework to the 4th Senate Standing Committee on Education during a consultative induction retreat held at Sawela Lodges, Naivasha.
He told the Committee that the Country must invest in quality ECDE and protect the interest of teachers.
“According to research, providing quality ECDE reduces the cost of education by 15% for a country,” cited the PS.
The Principal Secretary said there is an urgent need for both levels of Government to harmonize and come up with one scheme of service for ECDE teachers across the 47 counties.
“If this is done, we shall not have disparities in the salary scale for the ECDE teachers where others are on permanent terms of service while the rest on contract basis,” he argued.
Dr. Belio further asked the Senate Committee on Education to ensure more teachers are employed and well paid to boost their morale.
