Narok County Government is facing growing pressure to employ Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers on Permanent and Pensionable terms.
The pressure comes amid concerns over a teacher shortage that is affecting the quality of early learning.
Teachers’ representatives say the number of ECDE teachers currently hired by the county remains too low compared to the high population of learners enrolled in public centres across the county.
Speaking in Narok town, ECDE teachers’ representative Emily Kikwai said the success of early childhood education largely depends on having enough teachers in classrooms.
“You cannot talk about quality early education when one teacher is handling too many learners. The success of ECDE is directly dependent on the number of teachers employed,” said Kikwai.
Kikwai noted that ECDE teachers are ready to work closely with the county’s Department of Education to strengthen early learning, urging the county government to prioritize their welfare.
“We are ready to partner with the county government to boost early education, but this can only work if teachers are employed on Permanent and Pensionable terms and their working conditions improved,” she added.
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She also called for a review of salaries and allowances, saying ECDE teachers play a critical role in laying a strong foundation for learners.
“These teachers handle children at a very delicate stage. Their salaries and allowances should reflect the importance of the work they do,” Kikwai said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Joyce Langat, who observed that Narok County has many trained ECDE graduates who are currently unemployed.
“We have many qualified graduates who are at home without jobs, yet our ECDE centres are understaffed. The county should take advantage of this pool of trained teachers,” Langat said.
Although the county recently hired a number of ECDE teachers, the tutors’ union dismissed the move as insufficient.
“What the county has done is just a drop in the sea compared to the actual need on the ground,” Langat added.
The teachers are now calling on the Narok County Government to urgently address the staffing gaps to ensure quality and sustainable early childhood education across the county.
By Kimutai Langat
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