Turkana County Directorate of Early Childhood Development (ECDE) in collaboration with UNICEF Kenya will be rolling out an ECDE teacher capacity building training to enhance their skills in order to be resourceful in their daily activities.
Speaking at an ECDE stakeholders meeting in Eliye Springs, Acting County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education, Sports and Social Protection George Emoru said that the training of the teachers ensures that children attain a strong educational foundation as they transit to the primary school level.
“The initial assessment at the beginning of devolution was to build two ECDE centres per ward and this number increased. However, this has proved to be a challenge as the school feeding programme is allocated the largest share of the entire department’s budget,” he said.
Despite the success of the program, the provision of learning materials, supervision and monitoring and evaluation of the centres is a challenge.
He acknowledged the vital role and support by partners in the programme, particularly Mary’s Meals.
“The County government will continue to seek solutions in these areas and make them as priority areas together with feeding programme,” said the CECM.
The Chair of the County Education Board and Turkana County Public Service Board, Dr. John Ng’asike pointed out that the county had employed 300 ECDE teachers to match the number of centres in the county.
He further requested that the ECDE teachers should have representations in such meetings.
Pauline Lokuruka, Chief Officer (CO) for Education, Sports and Social Protection, reiterated that the county should employ more teachers particularly to replace those who had been absorbed by the Teacher Service Commission.
“With the training, the teachers will have the skills to deliver and be encouraged to come up with innovative teaching approaches such as the use of local materials as teaching aids,” she said.
The Education CO explained that the training will kick off with ECDE teachers stationed in Turkana West Sub-county.
Emoru added that with UNICEF Kenya assistance, six ECDEs in Kakuma will be renovated and trainings targeting parents to sensitise them on the value of education.
By Peter Gitonga
