- Murang’a County has signed a return-to-work agreement ending a prolonged labour dispute involving ECDE teachers.
- The deal includes salary increments, permanent employment for interns and recognition of caregivers as ECDE teachers.
- Education stakeholders say the agreement could become a model for other counties facing similar disputes.
The Murang’a County Government has officially brought to an end a prolonged labour dispute involving Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers after signing a comprehensive return-to-work agreement that promises improved salaries, better terms of service and enhanced job security.
The agreement, signed between the county government and the County Government Workers Union (COGWU), marks a significant milestone not only for Murang’a but also for county governments across Kenya that continue to grapple with the challenge of retaining and motivating ECDE teachers.
Representing Governor Irungu Kang’ata during the signing ceremony, Deputy Governor Stephen Munania described the agreement as a demonstration of the county’s commitment to investing in teachers’ welfare while strengthening the foundation of education through quality early childhood learning.
The deal follows months of negotiations, consultations and public participation forums conducted across all sub-counties after repeated industrial action disrupted learning in ECDE centres.
Major salary boost
One of the most significant outcomes of the agreement is a structured four-year salary review programme aimed at aligning ECDE teachers’ salaries with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) guidelines.
The first phase of the salary increment will take effect at the end of July.
Under the new salary structure:
- Degree holders will receive an additional Sh10,000 per month.
- Diploma holders will receive an additional Sh6,000 per month.
- Certificate holders will receive an additional Sh4,000 per month.
The county government said annual salary reviews will continue over the next four years until the salaries fully comply with SRC recommendations.
Interns and caregivers benefit
Beyond salary increments, the agreement introduces major employment reforms.
Employees who had previously served as caregivers will now be officially recognised as ECDE teachers, a move expected to improve their professional status and career progression.
In addition, teachers serving as interns will be absorbed into the county workforce and begin earning Sh27,000 per month, offering them greater employment security after years of uncertainty.
In a move aimed at rebuilding trust between the employer and employees, the county government announced that teachers who participated in the industrial action will not face disciplinary action or salary-related penalties because of their involvement in the strike.
Deputy Governor Munania further revealed that both parties had agreed to withdraw all court cases arising from the dispute in favour of dialogue and cooperation.
He urged teachers who had not yet signed the new employment contracts to do so immediately to facilitate their inclusion in the July payroll.
Union welcomes agreement
COGWU Deputy Secretary John Ndunda welcomed the agreement, saying it marked the beginning of improved labour relations between the county government and ECDE teachers.
He confirmed that the union would withdraw all pending court petitions and instead pursue engagement through structured dialogue.
Ndunda also encouraged teachers who were yet to sign the revised contracts to do so within the stipulated period to avoid delays in salary processing.
Recognising the learning time lost during the industrial action, he appealed to teachers to organise recovery programmes to ensure learners complete the school calendar without significant academic disruption.
A model for other counties
The Murang’a agreement is likely to attract national attention as several county governments continue facing demands from ECDE teachers over better remuneration, permanent employment and improved working conditions.
Unlike primary and secondary school teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), ECDE teachers remain under county governments following the devolved system established by the Constitution of Kenya.
This arrangement has resulted in varying salaries, employment terms and promotion opportunities across the 47 counties, with some counties offering considerably better packages than others.
Education stakeholders have repeatedly argued that harmonising salaries and employment conditions would improve teacher motivation, reduce industrial disputes and enhance the quality of foundational learning.
The Murang’a agreement demonstrates that sustained dialogue between employers and unions can produce solutions that safeguard both teachers’ welfare and learners’ right to uninterrupted education.
With learning now expected to resume normally across all ECDE centres in the county, education stakeholders hope the agreement will serve as a model for other devolved units seeking lasting solutions to labour disputes in the education sector.
READ ALSO: Heads of three Kisumu schools demand urgent repair of damaged perimeter fence
As Kenya continues implementing Competency-Based Education (CBE), experts maintain that investing in motivated and professionally supported ECDE teachers is one of the most effective ways of building a strong educational foundation for every learner.
By Hillary Muhalya
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
