Uasin Gishu County to build Sh156m nursery schools in all wards

UASIN GISHU: The county government has set aside Sh156 million for the construction of 260 nursery schools.

Governor Jackson Mandago said the money would be used for infrastructure development, which is the main challenge affecting Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres.

"(The money) will be used to construct 260 ECDE centres at a cost of Sh600,000 each. These important facilities will be established in all 30 wards within the county according to the needs of each area," he said.

The governor said his administration had established 270 ECDE centres and employed 1,000 teachers since 2013.

"ECDE is the beginning phase of education and the quality of learning at this level determines greatly the development of the pupils when they get to primary school and even beyond," Mr Mandago said.

The governor also said nursery school teachers employed by the county government would be supervised by primary school heads to harmonise management of the institutions.

"Some truant ECDE teachers have been arrogant to head teachers of primary schools where the facilities are established when questioned about their commitment. We will not tolerate such personnel, they either answer to the school heads or quit," he added.

He said there must be well-defined systems and structures to guarantee quality education.

"The ECDE teachers should reciprocate the improved payment terms offered by the county government through quality teaching. They used to earn Sh2,000 per month while under the Parents Teachers Association and now they are getting Sh10,000," he said.

The county chief added that nursery school teachers defy instructions from their respective school heads, on grounds that they are under the county government and not the Teachers Service Commission.