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ECDE learners in West Pokot receive material boost

Over 71,000 Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) learners in West Pokot County have benefitted from an assortment of teaching and learning materials through sponsorship from the county government.

During the flagging off of the items in Kapenguria, Governor Simon Kachapin said early childhood education is a key component in any education system, hence the need for its prioritisation.

Kachapin said his administration assessed challenges in the ECDE centres and resolved on the need to have them adequately empowered by the government since learning and teaching materials have been a major challenge.

“Today we are launching so many teaching and learning materials to benefit all the ECDE centres across the county. These items, such as chalks, books, rulers, and blackboards, among others, will be supplied to all the centres to be used by the over 71,000 learners as per the current enrolment records,” said the governor.

He stated that the move was intended to make the learning environment friendly to the learners and teachers so they can also enjoy it like those in private institutions.

Kachapin promised that the county government will also be supplying porridge to supplement the centres’ feeding programme like it has been happening in previous years.

“Plans are underway to supply porridge to the learners soon since we realised taking porridge in school has led to improved enrolments in our ECDE centres, especially in remote areas where food security has been a challenge,” Kachapin highlighted.

To boost the morale of the teachers, the governor said his administration had employed over 1,662 teachers, most of whom were working as casuals.

He revealed that bursaries to secondary and college students will soon be rolled out so that the vulnerable get cushioned from the burdens of raising fees.

As an educationist, the governor condemned school unrest as witnessed at Ortum Boys High School and called on security agencies to investigate the matter.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education Ms. Rebecca Kide lauded the governor for spearheading the confirmation of ECDE teachers who had served for long from contractual to permanent and pensionable terms and elevating those on casual into contractual terms.

Ms. Kide called upon stakeholders to help fully equip ECDE centres since most of them are just surviving with classrooms.

“We have started with classes, but we need every centre well-fenced, standard toilets, and, of most significance, running water. An ECDE centre should have both Pp1 and Pp2, playing fields since most learning is through play, stores, kitchens, and offices,” appealed the CECM.

She explained that prioritising education, which lies within the mandate of the county government after devolution, would transform the county that has been lagging behind for long.

By Richard Muhambe

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