Bomet County Senator Hillary Sigei has called on the county government to fast-track the establishment of modern Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres to improve learning conditions for young children across the county.
Speaking during a visit to Chemobei ECDE Centre at Chemobei Primary School, the senator expressed concern over the poor state of some early learning facilities, saying many centres were neglected, poorly constructed, and inadequately maintained.
At Chemobei, Sigei noted that a temporary four-square-metre structure was being used as an ECDE classroom for about 20 learners. He also observed that an old primary school classroom had been partitioned to accommodate both PP1 and PP2 learners.
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The senator termed the congestion and poor learning environment unacceptable, stressing that young children deserve safe, dignified, and conducive spaces for learning.
He further raised concerns over inadequate sanitation facilities at the centre, warning that poor amenities were exposing learners to unhealthy conditions that should not exist in ECDE institutions.
Sigei urged the county government to prioritise learners’ welfare in the upcoming budget by aligning education priorities through meaningful public participation and proper planning.
He also called for urgent investment in the construction and expansion of ECDE centres in all schools to ensure equitable access to quality early childhood education.
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His remarks come amid an ongoing programme by the Bomet County Government to construct 50 new ECDE classrooms during the current financial year.
Under the initiative, each of the county’s 25 wards will receive a modern classroom equipped with a toilet, water tank, and furniture.
County Executive Committee Member for Education Agnes Ngeno, while recently launching the programme at Tirgaga Comprehensive School, said the initiative is aimed at strengthening ECDE infrastructure across the county.
Ngeno noted that Bomet currently has slightly over 400 ECDE classrooms against a demand of more than 1,200 classrooms across all wards.
She added that the infrastructure improvement programme reflects the county government’s commitment under Governor Prof. Hillary Barchok to expand access to quality early childhood education.
The project will be implemented in phases during successive financial years until all the required classrooms are completed.
By Juma Ndigo
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