The Kirinyaga County Government has intensified support for Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) learners through the provision of free learning materials, furniture and uniforms in a move aimed at easing the financial burden on parents while improving the quality of early learning.
The initiative, which targets all 201 ECDE centres across the county, will see thousands of learners receive exercise books, pencils, crayons, building blocks, curriculum design books and chalks.
The county government is also distributing classroom furniture including tables, chairs, storage units and teacher desks, to create a more conducive learning environment.
The programme is part of a broader education infrastructure upgrade under the Department of Education and Public Service, which has focused on replacing dilapidated ECDE structures with modern, child-friendly classrooms.
In 2024, Governor Anne Waiguru launched a countywide free ECDE uniform programme that has since been credited with increasing enrolment, improving learner retention and reducing household expenditure.
The county government has also strengthened staffing by employing trained ECDE teachers and placing them on permanent and pensionable terms.
The county has so far constructed about 40 new ECDE classrooms and renovated 45 others, significantly improving access to quality early childhood education. The programme has also extended support to learners in special needs institutions, including schools for the deaf.
Acting County Executive Committee Member for Education and Public Service Millicent Ngari said the interventions are aimed at supporting vulnerable families, while motivating children at the foundation stage of learning.
“Apart from helping reduce the burden of buying uniforms and enabling parents to save money for other necessities, the programme has helped families acquire extra uniforms, reducing the wash-and-wear challenges many parents previously faced,” Ngari said.
Ngari said ECDE remains a key priority for the county government because it lays the foundation for future educational success.
She added that improved classrooms and adequate learning materials are creating a more conducive environment for learners while easing pressure on parents.
At Kiandieri Primary School, where three ECDE classrooms have been renovated, 77 learners have benefited from new tables, chairs and learning materials.
Head teacher Jacinta Nyambura said the intervention has transformed learning conditions, adding, “All my children now have uniforms, furniture and learning materials. This has made learning easier and more organized.”
“Earlier on, learners would sometimes lack books, but now there is enough for everyone. Parents have also been relieved, especially because many could not afford multiple sets of uniforms,” she said.
Nyambura added that the uniforms have improved cleanliness, kept learners warm during cold weather and strengthened a sense of identity among pupils.
At Kaitheri Primary School, 105 ECDE learners have benefited from the programme. Head teacher Nyaga Rowland said the school has witnessed remarkable improvements in infrastructure and learning resources.
“We now have a proper ECDE classroom and an ablution block. The books are now in a one-to-one ratio, meaning learners no longer have to share. Previously, parents had to supplement learning materials, but that burden has now been lifted,” he said.
He noted that the uniform programme has also improved discipline, cleanliness and equality among learners.
At Gathuthuma Primary School in Mutira Ward, where 53 ECDE learners have benefited, a parent Evans Kinyua said the initiative has significantly eased financial pressure on families.
“When ECDE learners are well taken care of, the future is bright. It is tough at the moment for parents. Buying uniforms every term is not easy. But now, with learning materials, uniforms and teachers in place, our work is simply to bring children to school.” he said.
Kinyua added that the programme has promoted equality among learners regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds, allowing children to concentrate on their education.
The county government says the sustained investment in ECDE is intended to build a strong educational foundation and ensure every child has an equal opportunity to succeed from the earliest stages of learning.
