Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has announced plans to promote all Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers in the county by December. He also promised to hire more staff to meet the growing demand for pre-primary education. The governor said the county government had already constructed 512 new ECDE centres and was now shifting focus to improving the welfare and professional development of teachers.
The county government has partnered with Mount Kenya University to support ECDE teachers seeking to advance their education and acquire diploma and degree qualifications. Wamatangi said the partnership would see the county government pay school fees for teachers enrolled in the programme, allowing them to upgrade their qualifications. A proposal from Mount Kenya University on the programme is currently on the governor's table.
Funds will be included in the county's supplementary budget to facilitate the programme. Wamatangi said he would put money in the supplementary budget next week to cater for the education of ECDE teachers. The governor added that the county government was working to ensure all ECDE teachers eligible for promotion receive the necessary changes in their employment status before the end of the year.
All ECDE teachers in the county will be promoted by December, according to Wamatangi. He also announced plans to bring ECDE teachers currently employed through boards of management under the county government. The move is part of broader efforts to improve the welfare of teachers and standardise ECDE services across Kiambu.
The county government highlighted its investment in early childhood education, including infrastructure, teacher development and co-curricular activities. Wamatangi said the investments had contributed to increased enrolment in ECDE centres, with more parents opting to take their children to county-run facilities because of improved learning environments.
Kiambu has positioned itself as a model county in ECDE development, with the Government seeking to provide better facilities for both learners and teachers. The county has also expanded opportunities for learners beyond classroom-based academic work. Recently, Kiambu ECDE learners participated in a county table tennis tournament at Bahati Model ECDE Centre in Thika as part of the county's holistic approach to early childhood education.
The expansion of ECDE infrastructure and investment in teachers are intended to create a strong foundation for learners at an early age. The county government's latest plans will see teachers benefit from both career progression and opportunities to improve their academic qualifications. Wamatangi said the county would continue investing in ECDE as part of efforts to improve learning outcomes and attract more children to its centres.
Key points
- Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi announces plans to promote all ECDE teachers by December.
- The county government has partnered with Mount Kenya University to support ECDE teachers' education.
- Kiambu has invested in ECDE infrastructure, teacher development, and co-curricular activities.
