County Seeks To Implement Free ECDE Learning
Governor Mutahi Kahiga of Nyeri has called for removing the county’s Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) school fees.
After flagging off study materials for ECDE learners at his office, Kahiga stated that his government was trying to guarantee that ECDE learning for the roughly 22,000 learners in the county was adequately financed.
“I would like to caution our institution heads who may think that there is a need to charge fees.
“Please do not charge our parents any money except for maybe snacks which I strongly advise that if possible, should be brought from home but that is the only charges that we should be talking about,” said Kahiga.
In addition to exercise and textbooks, the learning resources included charts, chalk, manila paper, pencils, and pens.
The shipment will be given to the county’s 436 ECDE facilities, with the county administrator commenting that the resources are sufficient to facilitate learning for young students.
He says ECDE education should now be completely free, adding that every pupil will receive exercise books, pencils, erasers, manila paper, and pens, in addition to other teaching resources.
“Our faith is that now, ECDE education should be fully free. Whatever we have provided is adequate to propagate ECDE education as every pupil will get exercise books, pencils, erasers and manila papers and pens among other teaching materials for the teachers,” he added.
In July, the county was promoted to permanent and pensionable status over 800 ECDE teachers, previously on contract.
During the flag-raising event, the governor urged the newly-promoted ECDE teachers to double their efforts to ensure their students had the most good possible foundation before entering lower elementary school.
"We have given you permanent jobs and pensions, so please double what you did for these children to provide them with a solid foundation.
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"Our ECDE children are at a crucial age for human development, and we sincerely hope that you will focus on them and do an excellent job,” stated Kahiga.
Kahiga stated that efforts are underway to establish a support program to resurrect the Milk for Schools program.
In his statement at his inauguration ceremony on Thursday last week at the Asian Quarters site, Kahiga committed to creating a program for disadvantaged families in which the county would offer them food and non-food gifts.
At the same time, ECDE students receive milk twice a week.
“We trust that with our new administration and availability of funds, we will keep providing milk for the school-going children,” he said.
