The national government is scheming to take over the management of Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) from devolved units.
In a fresh education controversy that is brewing, Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu announced that primary school head teachers will take control of the ECDE learning centres starting January, 2024.
However, the Council of Governors (CoG) opposed the proposal in a letter to Machogu dated December 28, 2023 in which the CoG chairperson Anne Waiguru details that no deal has been struck between the national and county governments to transfer management of ECDE.
She stated that ECDEs are within the domain of county governments and there hasn’t been any formal provision to alter the existing arrangement.
“We are cognizant of the recommendation of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER). However, the implementation of the same should be strictly undertaken in accordance with the provisions of Article 187 of the Constitution that sets the parameters for the transfer of the functions and powers between the two levels of government,” part of the letter read.
Meanwhile, as this goes on, Kajiado County Governor Joseph ole Lenku has signed eight Acts into law, including Kajiado County Early Childhood Education Act (2024), which sets the framework of the county’s operations in various sectors to enhance service delivery and efficiency.
The ECD Act, 2024 provides for the establishment and regulation of early childhood education and care centres, home-based education and care service, and hospital-based education and care services.
The Act gives a mandate to the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) to establish early childhood and child care facilities in the county and prescribe a curriculum framework for licensed early childhood service in consultation with stakeholders.
The Act also protects teachers and member of staff of early childhood education centres against intentional insults, abuses or intimidation. Those culpable are liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh50,000.
Another bill that was signed into law is the Kajiado County Vocational Training Centers Act (2024), which provides for the establishment of Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) in the county.
The Act provides for a framework to steer and evaluate operations of a VTC, and also targets setting quality assessments.
By Obegi Malack | obegimalack@gmail.com
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