State releases Sh1.6 billion to streamline early learning

By Augustine Oduor

Three million nursery school children are set to receive grants as free education extends to early learning.

For the first time in Kenya’s history, the Government has released Sh1.6 billion to be disbursed in the first phase of financing Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE).

Education PS George Godia confirmed receipt of the cash and noted he has prepared disbursement schedules for the same. He said each child will be allocated Sh1,020 just as is the case with primary school pupils.

“It is the responsibility of the Government to do this in the wake of the new Constitution that says every child has the right to free and compulsory education,” he said.

“We have received the money and each child will get capitation starting this first term. I have already signed the schedule,” he added.

Prof Godia said he has requested the Treasury for another Sh6.7 billion to employ 25,000 nursery school teachers. “This is the start of the process to streamline early learning in the country.

The Government is committed to ensuring pupils in lower classes get literacy and numeracy skills to be able to follow instructions at every level of learning,” he added.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Acting Secretary General Xavier Nyamu said high quality education will never be achieved if learning in lower classes is not taken seriously. “We ask the Government to be serious and make available enough funds to mainstream early learning,” he said.

Pressure piling

Union’s National Chairman Wilson Sossion said current ECDE teacher gap stands at 60,000.

With the release of the capitation funds for the nursery children, pressure is now piling on the Government to employ qualified and competent teachers for the children.

Godia also said plans are underway to introduce basic information and communication technology (ICT) at lower levels. “We are treating ICT as a language, which each learner should know and use in daily learning process,” he said.

Under the proposed changes in the education sector, the entry age of children to pre-school will be four years. If signed into law, county governments will be tasked with a huge responsibility of ensuring quality education at lower levels.

The proposal recommends that children will spend three years at day care before moving to pre-primary. Parents and members of the community will have the responsibility of establishing baby care centres.

This lower level will focus on child protection, early learning, play and stimulation, child health and child nutrition. The instruction language will be the local language of the catchment’s area.

Godia said children between four and five years have been neglected and noted the expected reforms will ensure they are catered for.