Stop registering ECDE teachers, counties told

Narok, Kenya: County governments have been urged to stop hiring Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) teachers.

Kenya Union of Pre-Primary Education Teachers (Kunoppet) Secretary General Samuel Opiyo said registration of teachers is the preserve of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

Opiyo said some counties have been charging the teachers Sh500 as registration fee, adding that they have written to them to refund the money to the teachers.

Scheme of service

“Note that the registration of teachers is the mandate of the Teachers Service Commission only, pursuant to Article 237(2) (a) of the laws of Kenya. This role must not be duplicated by any other institution,” read a letter sent to all county governments by the union.

Opiyo confirmed that TSC has started registering qualified EDCE teachers. He also challenged TSC to come up with a scheme of service for ECDE teachers to cushion them against exploitation by counties.

Council of Governors Chair Isaac Ruto said recently that counties had already hired over 53,000 teachers before the exercise was suspended by the courts.