Concerns have emerged over the poor pay and unequal treatment of non-permanent Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers in Migori County, with some earning as low as Ksh4, 000 per month despite performing the same duties as permanently employed teachers.
The issue came to light during a session between the Senate Committee on Education and Governor Ochilo Ayacko, where discussions focused on the status of ECDE and Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) in the county.
During the meeting, the county government disclosed that it has employed 659 ECDE teachers on permanent and pensionable terms. In addition, 339 teachers have been engaged by parents through Boards of Management (BoMs) and are currently earning monthly stipends ranging from Ksh4,000 to Ksh8,000.
Members of the Senate committee expressed concern over the wide disparities in remuneration among teachers carrying out similar responsibilities.
Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango criticized the pay structure, noting that many ECDE teachers are earning below the recommendations set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
“There is a glaring disparity in teacher compensation, with most earning below SRC recommendations,” said Murango.
According to the county government, permanently employed ECDE teachers holding certificate qualifications earn a basic salary starting at Ksh20,500, in addition to a house allowance of Ksh15,000 and commuter allowances.
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Teachers with diploma and degree qualifications earn between Ksh28,000 and Ksh37,000, alongside commuter allowances of up to Ksh4,000.
In response to the concerns, Governor Ayacko acknowledged the challenges affecting ECDE teacher remuneration, attributing the situation to budgetary constraints facing the county government.
“I wish to acknowledge that ECDE teacher salaries remain low, largely due to budgetary constraints. However, the county has made efforts to improve allowances, increasing them from Ksh800 to Ksh3,400,” he stated.
The governor further revealed that the county is in the process of recruiting 300 additional ECDE teachers as part of efforts to strengthen staffing and progressively improve terms of service for educators in the sector.
By Obegi Malack
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