In a significant move to strengthen Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Kenya, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Danish Union of Early Childhood and Youth Educators (BUPL) held a high-level sensitization workshop at an agriculture training college in Mabanga, Bungoma County.
The workshop brought together education stakeholders, county officials, and ECE teachers to discuss policy reforms, teacher welfare, and the future of foundational learning.
Eng. Agnes Wachie, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education in Bungoma County, officially opened the workshop. She emphasized the importance of collaboration between KNUT and other education stakeholders to improve the working conditions and welfare of ECE teachers.
Wachie stressed that early childhood education is the backbone of Kenya’s education system and called for increased investment in the sector to ensure quality learning for young children.
She reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to enhancing training, working conditions, and resources for ECE teachers.
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She further urged unions and government agencies to work together to advocate for better policies that address the concerns of early childhood educators.
Aggrey Murumba Namisi, the second National Vice Chairman of KNUT, officially closed the workshop. Namisi called on ECE teachers to join the union for better representation in national education policies.
He emphasized that collective bargaining through KNUT would help secure fair salaries, improved working conditions, and stronger legal protections for ECE teachers.
Key education stakeholders, including Moses Masika, the National Executive Council (NEC) Member for the Western Region, all Executive Secretaries from Bungoma County, several county government education officers, and Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) teachers, attended the event.
The discussions centred on policy implementation, teacher training, and the role of unions in advocating for the welfare of early childhood educators.
The KNUT/BUPL workshop marked a crucial step in ensuring that ECE teachers receive the recognition and support they deserve. With increased advocacy and growing government involvement, there is renewed hope that ECE professionals will soon see improved working conditions and policy changes.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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