Uasin Gishu is working to to boost and strengthen access to quality education across the region.
Governor Jonathan Bii says says enrolment in ECDE centres has increased to over 45,000 learners and that his administration is working to improve facilities and employ more teachers.
The governor met with officials from the county education department and directed them to ensure all ECDE centres are facilitated to operate smoothly.
“We must ensure our children access quality education so that they have a good foundation as they start the learning journey,” Bii said.
The county is providing free milk in all ECDE learners and has employed an additional 1,000 teachers within the last three years.
The county has also invested in capacity building and training for the teachers and education officials focusing on the CBE programme.
County chief officer for Education Eunice Suter reaffirmed the department’s commitment to improving access to quality services across the county.
Speaking during the departmental meeting, Suter said there was need for teamwork, accountability, professionalism, and timely implementation of programmes.
She also appreciated officers’ involvement in the bursary disbursement process, saying it was important for accurate processing and disbursement of funds, proper documentation and accountability for all allocations.
“Teamwork is essential for successful management of the disbursement exercise,” she said.
She asked the officers to ensure timely implementation of ongoing ECDE projects and quality learning environments.
Director of education Peter Ruto said it was important that child protection and safeguarding measures are adhered to in compliance with ECDE policy guidelines. He called for continuous support and training of teachers.
He also reminded the staff that performance management remains key to efficient service delivery, emphasising timely completion of performance appraisals and targets.
Bii has unveiled a plan to expand ECDE and vocational training in the county this year due to increased enrolment.
Bii says the county targets to put up over 90 new early childhood education centres in the region and also plans to equip over 30 Vocational and Training Centres.
“Our target is to ensure that the learners have a good education foundation while also expanding the VTCs to offer technical courses to youth,” he said.
He said enrolment in ECDE units had increased to over 45,000 children hence the need to expand available facilities and recruit more teachers.
“We will ensure continued improvement of facilities to accommodate the increasing number of learners every year. The county will gradually increase funding to support the improvements,” the governor said.
