Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi with ECDE teachers during the county table tennis tournament at Bahati Model ECDE Centre in Thika/HANDOUT Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has announced plans to promote all Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers in the county by December, while promising to hire more staff to meet the growing demand for pre-primary education.
Wamatangi said the county government had already constructed 512 new ECDE centres and was now shifting focus to improving the welfare and professional development of teachers.
He said the county had partnered with Mount Kenya University to support ECDE teachers seeking to advance their education and acquire diploma and degree qualifications.
“After constructing 512 new ECDE centres, we are now promoting ECDE teachers and hiring new ones,” Wamatangi said.
He said the partnership would see the county government pay school fees for teachers enrolled in the programme, allowing them to upgrade their qualifications.
“Already I have a proposal on my table from Mount Kenya University on how they want us to pay for their education,” he said.
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi with ECDE children during the county table tennis tournament at Bahati Model ECDE Centre in Thika/HANDOUT
The governor said funds would be included in the county’s supplementary budget to facilitate the programme.
“I will put money in the supplementary budget next week to cater for their education,” he said.
Wamatangi added that the county government was working to ensure all ECDE teachers eligible for promotion receive the necessary changes in their employment status before the end of the year.
“Before December, all the teachers will get promotions,” he said.
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi with ECDE children during the county table tennis tournament at Bahati Model ECDE Centre in Thika/HANDOUT
The governor also announced plans to bring ECDE teachers currently employed through boards of management under the county government.
He said the move was part of broader efforts to improve the welfare of teachers and standardise ECDE services across Kiambu.
Wamatangi spoke Friday as the county highlighted its investment in early childhood education, including infrastructure, teacher development and co-curricular activities.
He said the investments had contributed to increased enrolment in ECDE centres, with more parents opting to take their children to county-run facilities because of improved learning environments.
A section of ECDE children during the county table tennis tournament at Bahati Model ECDE Centre in Thika/HANDOUT
According to the governor, Kiambu had positioned itself as a model county in ECDE development, with the Government seeking to provide better facilities for both learners and teachers.
The county has also expanded opportunities for learners beyond classroom-based academic work.
Kiambu ECDE learners recently participated in a county table tennis tournament at Bahati Model ECDE Centre in Thika as part of the county’s holistic approach to early childhood education.
Besides academics, learners participate in music competitions, football, athletics, badminton and karate.
Some of the learners have also represented the county and country in international competitions, with a group currently in India for an international martial arts competition.
Wamatangi said the expansion of ECDE infrastructure and investment in teachers were intended to create a strong foundation for learners at an early age.
The county government’s latest plans will see teachers benefit from both career progression and opportunities to improve their academic qualifications.
The governor said the county would continue investing in ECDE as part of efforts to improve learning outcomes and attract more children to its centres.
