Migori County to build more ECDE classrooms over fully-fledged modern centres to boost early learning

The Migori County Government has announced its plan to prioritise construction of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) classrooms over fully-fledged modern ECDE centres in a bid to reach more learning institutions across the region.

Speaking in her office, County Executive Committee Member for Education Rahab Robi said the shift in approach is aimed at maximising limited resources and expanding access to early childhood education.

“Funds used to construct a single modern ECDE centre can build at least three classrooms in different institutions. We want to ensure that more schools benefit,” Robi said while addressing the press in her office.

She defended the move, noting that modern ECDE centres require huge budgetary allocations due to the range of facilities involved.

“A modern ECDE centre comprises washrooms, an office, a playground and well-equipped classrooms that require a lot of budgetary allocations for their establishment,” she explained.

According to Robi, the current administration has so far constructed 212 new ECDE classrooms and related social amenities such as toilets at a cost of approximately Ksh160 million across the county’s 40 wards.

Although not every school has benefited from a new ECDE classroom, she said the county remains committed to ensuring each public institution eventually has a modern learning space for young learners.

ALSO READ:

Varsity to help cash-strained students complete their studies

“We will continue to focus on early childhood education to provide a better space for young children. Service delivery at the lowest unit of society remains the biggest agenda of this administration,” she said.

Robi noted that priority is given to the most vulnerable areas when allocating resources.

“When we are establishing a classroom for early learners, we consider the condition of the existing classrooms or lack of it, the population of students and the distance from one public institution to another to ensure we serve the most vulnerable members of society, even as we look for more funds to establish other centres in the county,” she added.

The County Executive further disclosed that all public ECDE centres have trained teachers, employed by the county government to ensure quality education.

However, she admitted that the county faces a shortage of about 200 ECDE teachers, and due to budget constraints, it can only recruit approximately 50 teachers per financial year.

ALSO READ:

Siaya JSS intern teachers faults gov’t over two-year term contract, vow to paralyse education in 2026

“We are facing challenges in ECD teacher promotion and recruitment due to limited budgetary allocations, but as a county, we are trying to fix this problem to ensure our tutors are well taken care of,” she said.

To strengthen oversight and service delivery, the county has also employed Sub-County Education Officers and Quality Assurance Officers to monitor ECD programmes and address emerging challenges.

Migori County has made strides in enhancing early learning through various partnerships. In 2025, the County partnered with the EIDU platform to introduce digital learning in 50 per cent of ECDE centres, enhancing the learning experience for young children.

The county has also benefited from support by partners in the education sector, including the Safaricom Foundation, which has constructed classrooms in several primary schools.

Additionally, LifeStraw Foundation has supplied water purifiers to ensure access to clean drinking water for learners, while LAPFUND has distributed furniture and equipment to ECD centres.

Robi reaffirmed the county’s commitment to improving early childhood education infrastructure, saying investments at the foundational level are key to long-term academic success.

By KIMUTAI LANGAT