Pre-school centres in Nyeri get learning aids

Nyeri County Executive Member of Education Erastus Karanja (right),addresses the Early Childhood Development Education teachers at his office and hands over the teaching and learning materials to 300 teachers worth Sh 3.2Millions in support of ECDE in the county. (PHOTO: KIBATA KIHU/ STANDARD)

The county government yesterday distributed learning materials worth Sh3.2 million to pre-school centres.

The materials, including books, reading charts markers, manila papers and playing dough, were given out to 300 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres.

Education Executive Erastus Muriuki, who handed the items to ECDE teachers at his offices in Nyeri Town, said the government is looking to reward their efforts.

"We know nursery school teachers have the most difficult job of moulding children into who they will be in future, yet they are least rewarded. We are committed to reverse this by supporting them in their duties," Mr Muriuki said.

He added: "The county has about 500 public nursery schools and we must work together to increase their enrolment, which will only happen if the teachers get the necessary incentives and support."

The official said the government had also proposed a Sh45 million grant to improve salaries of nursery school teachers.

"The government will not engage the ECDE teachers directly because their future is yet to be determined due to an ongoing court case, but we will offer grants to all the public nursery schools," Muriuki said.

"We know the county government cannot employ the teachers but we can continue supporting ECDEs so they can have enough to pay better salaries to caregivers within these schools."

Muriuki called on the teachers to work with the parents and introduce feeding programmes, which would increase enrolment.

County Kenya Primary School Heads Associations chairman Nicholas Gathemia said most ECDE centres are housed by public primary schools, adding that nursery school teachers are often at the mercy of primary school heads.

"The county must work with primary school heads to ensure ECDEs succeed. We welcome this initiative where nursery schools are given reading and teaching aids," Gathemia noted.

He called for the establishment of a structure that will guide how ECDE teachers will be paid, noting they are currently at the mercy of parents and school management boards.