Early Childhood and Development Education (ECDE) teachers in Elgeyo Marakwet County have been awarded a significant pay rise.
The salary adjustment, affecting teachers across three job groups, was announced during Governor Wisley Rotich’s recent State of the County address at the county assembly.
The governor outlined that the salaries for ECDE teachers will increase by Sh4000 per grade.
“To motivate our teachers, we have adjusted their salaries by Sh4, 000, ensuring that the first, second, and third cohorts earn Sh18, 000, Sh16, 000, and Sh14, 000 respectively,” Governor Rotich stated.
Governor Rotich emphasised the critical role ECDE teachers play in laying the educational foundation for the county’s children.
He revealed that there are plans to confirm more teachers and further increase their pay by a similar amount in the next financial year.
“In the financial year 2024/2025, we will increase their take-home pay by another Sh4, 000,” he announced, urging the county assembly members to support the forthcoming bill to facilitate these changes.
In addition to the pay rise, the governor highlighted other investments in education within the county.
He noted that the county has distributed Sh15 million as capitation to ECDE centres across nine wards.
This funding is aimed at facilitating the operations of these units, including supporting school feeding programmes designed to attract and retain young learners while supplementing their diets.
Governor Rotich also spoke about the progress in technical education, noting a substantial increase in enrollment at Vocational Training Centres.
“The population in these institutions is now at 3,800, up from 1,800 in 2022,” he said.
This growth is attributed to the county’s strategic plan to provide practical skills to the youth.
Furthermore, the governor highlighted the success of the student airlift programme, dubbed ‘Pepea,’ which has sent more than 100 students abroad to various universities and colleges.
“Under the airlift programme Pepea, we have managed to send over 100 students abroad to various colleges and universities. These include students who have fully secured athletics and academic scholarships in the USA and Canada,” Governor Rotich remarked.
Governor Rotich noted that the initiatives by his administration underscore a comprehensive approach to improving education at all levels in Elgeyo Marakwet County, ensuring that both young children and older students have access to quality education and opportunities for advancement.
By Rennish Okong’o
