Bomet County Senator Hillary Sigei has called on the county government to establish more modern Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres to improve learning conditions for young children.
During a visit to Chemobei ECDE Centre, hosted at Chemobei Primary School, the senator expressed concern over the poor state of some early years learning facilities.
He noted that several centres were neglected, poorly constructed, and inadequately maintained, making them unsuitable for effective learning.
At Chemobei, Sigei observed that a temporary four-square-metre structure was being used as an ECDE classroom, accommodating about 20 learners.
Additionally, an old primary school classroom had been partitioned to serve both PP1 and PP2 learners.
He termed the congestion and poor learning environment unacceptable, emphasizing that young children deserve safe, dignified, and conducive spaces for their education.
The senator also raised concerns about sanitation at the facility, noting that inadequate amenities were exposing learners to unhealthy conditions that should not exist in ECDE centres.
He urged the county government to prioritize the welfare of learners in the upcoming budget by aligning education priorities through meaningful public participation and proper planning.
Sigei further called for urgent investment in the establishment and expansion of ECDE centres across all schools in the county to ensure equitable access to quality early childhood education.
His remarks come amid an ongoing programme by the County Government of Bomet to construct 50 new ECDE classrooms in the current financial year.
Under the initiative, each of the 25 wards will receive a modern classroom equipped with a toilet, water tank, and furniture.
County Executive Committee Member for Education Agnes Ngeno, while recently launching the programme at Tirgaga Comprehensive School, said the initiative aims to strengthen ECDE infrastructure.
She noted that the county currently has just over 400 ECDE classrooms, against a requirement of more than 1,200 across all wards.
Ngeno added that the infrastructure improvement programme reflects the county government’s commitment, under Governor Prof. Hillary Barchok to expand access to quality early childhood education.
The project will be implemented in phases each financial year until all required classrooms are completed.
By Erick Ongeri
