The County Assembly of Baringo has unanimously passed a motion tabled by Committee on Education, Vocational Training and Information Communication Technology (ICT) led by Chairman Michael Chebon petitioning county government to implement schemes of service for Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers.
In a document in possession by Education News, the ECDE teachers pursuant to provisions of Article 119 (1) of the constitution, section 88 of County Governments Act, No. 12 of 2017 want their salaries increased to cater punitive taxation and rising cost of living.
The committee chair who is also Saimo Soi Member of County Assembly during the special assembly sitting had sought answers by petitioners why it had taken long to address teething challenges faced by the ECDE teachers with little steps made to implement their schemes which have been disregarded since 2018.
The Committee chair wondered why the ECDE teachers had been registered by Teachers Service Commission and issued with personal numbers with remuneration reflecting increased salary contrary to what they receive in their pay.
The petitioners, ECDE teachers, needed explanation on National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and statutory deductions deducted from their pay slips without commensurate services offered in health facilities and replacement of retired, deceased or teachers who exited the service.
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The teachers in a statement read by the Committee chair however called on implementation of the scheme of ECDE teachers that will realize decent packages for retiring teachers.
Kenya County Government Workers Union (KCGWU) Administrative Secretary Kevin Owango lauded the significant strides made to effect full implementation of scheme of service for teachers.
The KCGWU official reiterated that county government was paying meager salary of less than 15,000 contrary to Employment Act and Constitution of Kenya 2010 terming unlawful.
Owago noted that ECDE teachers would receive their dues agreed in their new deal effective July this year alongside other agreement relating to the petitioners which will be addressed by relevant authorities.
The KCGWU County Government Branch Executive Secretary Baringo James Chepkechei said conclusion and adoption of the report on new payment for ECDE teachers and implementation of terms of service to Permanent and Pensionable terms was a step to the right direction and new dawn to ECDE teachers.
“We urge the county government to address the matter with urgency because the deal has not been honoured since 2018 .The Union, however, will not condone statement from the Human Resource Director for failing to address their plight ,’’ said the union official.
Members of County Assembly during the sitting approved to set aside KSh2.4 million from ward fund kitty across the county to implement the deal.
John Tarus, MCA, Sacho Ward, wants county administration to ensure come July ECDE teachers be paid high increased salary.
Baringo County Government Workers Union Vice Chairman Jonathan Lopez challenged Governor Benjamin Cheboi to pay basic salaries and allowances of ECDE teachers in one year instead of spreading payments in phases.
He wondered why county administration had failed to remunerate ECDE teachers despite other counties like Uasin Gishu, Laikipia and Nakuru implementing the deal.
By Alfred Kimosop
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