The Departmental Committee on Education, led by Chairman MP Julius Melly has reviewed and adopted the Report on the Early Childhood Education (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bill No. 54 of 2023).
Sponsored by Senator Eddy Gicheru Oketch, the Bill aims to amend the Early Childhood Education Act, No. 3 of 2021, with a key focus on improving the welfare of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers in public institutions.
If passed, the Bill will grant county governments the mandate to ensure better remuneration and overall welfare for ECDE teachers working in public early childhood centres.
Specifically, the Bill proposes amendments to Section 38 of the principal Act, which would require county governments to consider critical factors like inflation, the minimum wage, and the cost of living when determining the salaries of ECDE teachers.
Further, the Bill empowers the Cabinet Secretary to create regulations governing teachers’ welfare in the sector. However, during deliberations, the Committee raised concerns about the potential for overlapping regulatory frameworks.
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The proposed amendments could result in conflicts between the proposed county level regulations and those already established by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the Ministry of Labour, and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Additionally, the Committee recommended an amendment to include specific criteria for determining teachers’ remuneration.
The revised provision will mandate county governments to factor in the minimum wage and the qualifications of individual teachers when setting their pay.
These changes, if approved, could mark a significant shift in the management of early childhood education in Kenya, potentially improving the working conditions and financial stability of ECDE teachers across the country.
By Obegi Malack
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