Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) and Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) in Migori County came under intense scrutiny as the Senate Education Committee reviewed the county’s progress, challenges, and reform plans.
The session, chaired by Senator Betty Montet, is part of a nationwide oversight programme assessing ECDE and TVET implementation across all 47 counties.
The committee has so far engaged over 30 counties in the exercise aimed at strengthening early learning and vocational training standards.
Migori Governor Dr Ochilo Ayacko, accompanied by senior county education and finance officials, presented a status report highlighting enrolment growth, staffing gaps and infrastructure challenges in ECDE centres.
According to the report, Migori county has enrolled 67,602 learners in public ECDE centres and 19,159 in private institutions, reflecting strong demand for early childhood education services.
However, senators raised concerns over strained infrastructure, uneven teacher remuneration, and inadequate learning facilities.
The county currently has 659 ECDE teachers on permanent terms, while 339 others are engaged by parents through school boards, earning between Ksh 4,000 and Ksh 8,000 monthly.
The lawmakers expressed concern over the wide pay disparities and questioned whether staffing levels meet recommended standards for quality learning.
Ayacko acknowledged the challenges, attributing them to limited budgetary allocations, but noted that the county has made gradual improvements, including raising allowances for some ECDE teachers from Ksh 800 to Ksh 3,400.
He also announced plans to recruit an additional 300 teachers.
The senators further pressed the county on the lack of dedicated ECDE facilities, playgrounds, and structured feeding programmes.
They noted that many centres still share infrastructure with primary schools, raising concerns about suitability for young learners.
In response, the governor said the county is working to address infrastructure gaps and develop stronger policy frameworks, while gradually expanding support services such as school feeding programmes.
The committee emphasised the need for strict adherence to minimum ECDE standards, warning that early childhood development requires focused investment to ensure quality learning outcomes.
Senators also called for stronger policy direction, improved budgeting for quality assurance, and expanded investment in vocational training to enhance youth skills development.
The governor appealed for increased funding from both county and national levels, noting that competing priorities have slowed full implementation of ECDE reforms.
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He, however, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving teacher welfare, infrastructure, and learning conditions.
The Senate committee reaffirmed its commitment to continued oversight and announced plans for a field visit to Migori County to assess progress on the ground.
By Philip Koech
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