Busia County will employ 36 more Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers to augment the 439 who were employed on permanent basis.
Addressing guests and staff during a farewell party for the Deputy Director Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE), Eunice Wandera, who is proceeding on retirement, Chief Officer Education and Vocational Training, Daniel Mogoria said the department is determined to employ more ECDE teachers.
“The County Public Service Board (CPSB) will advertise 36 vacancies for ECDE teachers in the course of next week. I encourage all teachers to apply,” he said.
“It is also a directive from the Governor Ojaamong, to make sure the teachers on contract are employed on permanent and pensionable terms, this will happen in May 2022 with about 500 teachers set to benefit from that kind gesture,” Mogoria said.
The Chief Officer said the department had also targeted to construct modern structures and projected a budget of Sh107 million but lamented that the amount was reduced to Sh9 million by the Assembly yet the intention was to have each classroom cost Sh1.5 million including tiles, ceilings among other fittings.
Mogoria thanked Ms Eunice Wandera for taking her time to diligently serve the ECDE sector during her tenure.
The Chief Officer ICT and Communication, Lydia Nabwire, lauded the retired officer for her exemplary performance in keeping records and for working without supervision and for being self-motivated.
“She was my advisor, motherly and resourceful person. I will recall with nostalgia the support she gave me while I was working on the employment of ECDE teachers. It was not a walk in the park but she comforted me and eventually, the teachers were employed on permanent and pensionable terms, God bless you Mama,” she praised her.
Wandera said in 1987, she graduated to teach English and Christian Religious Education (CRE) and her first posting was in Kaimosi, then she moved to St Mary’s Mumias, Butula Boys and finally Madende.
“I later received an invitation to the District Education Officer (DEO) where I was given a chance to run District Center for Early Childhood now known as (DICECE) in 1998 which was only at the District and National level. The journey has not been easy with many looking at ECDE as a demotion to the working class,” she said.
By Absalom Namwalo
