Senate raises alarm over proposed merger of ECDE, primary teacher training

The Senate has expressed serious concerns over a Ministry of Education directive proposing the merger of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teacher training with primary teacher education, amid warnings from county governments and education stakeholders that the move could disrupt early learning and undermine devolution.

The concerns emerged during a meeting at Bunge Tower on Tuesday where the Senate Standing Committee on Education consulted education professionals and the Council of Governors (CoG) to examine the implications of a circular issued by the Principal Secretary for Basic Education Prof. Julius Bitok.

Senators argued that the circular may need to be withdrawn or suspended until comprehensive consultations are conducted.

Senator Betty Montet, chairperson of the Senate Education Committee, emphasized that the issue goes beyond administration and touches on constitutional safeguards.

“ECDE is a devolved function. Any policy change affecting counties must be subjected to public participation and stakeholder consultation,” she said, adding that the Senate will defend devolution and protect the integrity of the education system.

Several senators highlighted the potential risks of the proposed merger. Kajiado Senator Seki Kanar cautioned that Early Childhood Education is a specialised field requiring distinct training approaches, warning that merging it with primary education could dilute professional standards and weaken the foundation of the Competency-Based Education (CBE).

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Machakos Senator Kavindu Muthama said the directive was introduced abruptly, creating uncertainty for students already enrolled in ECDE programmes and institutions that had admitted trainees under existing guidelines. He warned that sudden policy changes at foundational levels of education could cause long-term disruption.

Laikipia Senator John Kinyua urged the committee to examine the impact of the directive on counties, particularly regarding workforce planning and service delivery, stressing that, decisions affecting devolved functions must be guided by data and expert advice.

Kericho Governor Dr. Eric Kipkoech Mutai, who chairs CoG’s Education Committee, told the Senate that counties were not consulted before the directive was issued, despite ECDE being a county function.

He warned that the move could strain county budgets and reverse gains made in early learning.

Education stakeholders emphasized that Early Childhood Education is play based, care-oriented, and research driven, requiring specialised preparation.

They cautioned that the proposed merger could undermine clear academic and professional pathways from certificate to doctoral level.

According to Early Childhood Professional Association of Kenya (ECPAK) member Dr. Jeremiah Ireri, the merger risks eroding pedagogical specialization that is critical to early childhood learning.

He argues that pre-school education requires distinct, play-based and developmentally appropriate approaches that are fundamentally different from primary school instruction.

The Senate Education Committee will now compile views from the engagement and follow up with the Ministry of Education before any policy implementation.

By Obegi Malack