Officials preparing learning materials for distribution to ECDE units in Trans Nzoia countyTRANS Nzoia county has launched a new programme to improve facilities and increase the number of teachers in 452 Early Childhood Development Education centres across the county.
The Department of Education and Vocational Training has already received and distributed assorted teaching materials to all ECDE units.
Governor George Natembeya said the initiative is expected to improve the quality of learning and provide young learners with a strong educational foundation through access to standard teaching and learning resources.
“We have to give our learners the best foundation as they begin their educational journey and enable them to reach the highest level possible,” Natembeya said.
He said his administration would continue investing heavily in the ECDE sector, describing it as the foundation of education.
Speaking during the distribution of the learning materials, Education and Vocational Training executive Janerose Mutama said the resources would greatly support both teachers and learners in ECDE centres.
“These materials will boost learning across the county. For a long time, teachers lacked standard teaching resources, but now pupils will have access to a better educational foundation,” she said.
Mutama credited Natembeya’s administration for increasing budgetary allocations towards ECDE and vocational training institutions.
She said supporting early childhood education remains a key priority for the county government as part of efforts to strengthen foundational learning.
“The governor has significantly increased budgetary allocations for ECDEs and vocational training centres. It is our mandate as a county government to manage these functions and ensure learners have the best learning environment,” she added.
The county executive also confirmed that 23 ECDE teachers who had previously been shortlisted are expected to receive their employment letters soon.
In addition, the county plans to recruit more ECDE teachers in the next financial year to address staffing shortages and reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in learning institutions.
Mutama highlighted several key education support initiatives being undertaken by the county, including the distribution of teaching and learning materials, increased ECDE budget allocations, recruitment of additional teachers, improvement of classroom learning environments and support for vocational training institutions.
County director of Early Childhood Education Peter Omonya said the county will also distribute exercise books, pencils and chalk to support learning activities in ECDE centres.
Omonya said poverty remains one of the major barriers affecting school attendance among young learners, but the provision of free learning materials is already helping improve enrolment.
He said the initiative would ease the burden on parents and teachers while encouraging more children to attend school consistently.
“This is going to give ECDE pupils the best foundation for their future,” Omonya said.
