The Senate Education Committee has challenged the Narok County Government to increase investment in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres and vocational training institutions, saying the two sectors hold the key to empowering thousands of learners across the county.
Speaking during an oversight visit to Narok County, the Senate Education Committee Chairperson Betty Montet commended the county government for improving budgetary allocation towards vocational training centres but noted that more resources are still needed to fully equip the institutions and support learners.
She said many school leavers depend on vocational training centres to acquire practical skills that can enable them to secure employment and become self-reliant.
Montet encouraged the county government to continue strengthening the institutions so that graduates can effectively take care of themselves and contribute positively to society.
In ECDE centres, the committee chairperson acknowledged that the county had made progress in putting up infrastructure such as classrooms but stressed the need to align the centres with national government standards.
“As a Senate, we will continue undertaking our oversight role to ensure county governments implement education programmes effectively. That is why we currently have an inquiry in the Senate on the implementation of ECDE centres across the country,” she said.
She observed that many county governments had initially failed to take ECDE seriously but noted that significant improvements had been witnessed over the last one year.
Montet further emphasized the importance of vocational training centres, urging all counties to prioritize technical education to keep youths engaged and economically productive.
The oversight team included Senators Margaret Kamar, Agnes Kavindu Muthama of Machakos, John Kinyua of Laikipia, Johnes Mwaruma of Taita Taveta, and Lenku Ole Kanar Seki of Kajiado County.
Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina, who was also present during the inquiry, said more interventions were still required in the education sector, especially in ECDE centres and vocational training institutions.
At the same time, Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu announced that the county government will employ 300 new ECDE teachers within the next three weeks to address the high teacher-to-pupil ratio currently facing many centres.
Ole Kina urged the county government to inject more funds into the education department, particularly for ECDE and vocational training centres, saying the already allocated Ksh100 million should be released immediately to support learners.
He also cited the need to have more classrooms in many ECDE centres and pledged to work closely with the Senate committee to lobby for additional funding to improve learning conditions across the county.
The Senate education committee will be headed to Bomet county today and thereafter to Kericho and Nakuru counties for a similar exercise.
By Evalyne Mutengei and Emily Kadzo
