Senators raise alarm over poor early education standards

The Senate Committee on Education has sounded the alarm over the deteriorating state of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) in several counties, warning that the neglect of the sector could jeopardize the country’s education future.

The committee made the remarks during an oversight tour in Makueni County, where it praised the county’s ECDE programs as a benchmark for others.

The senators said they will conduct assessments in all 47 counties to evaluate the quality of classrooms, availability of learning materials, and the overall delivery of early learning services.

As part of its recommendations, the committee is considering proposing that ECDE be separated from primary schools to give it greater independence and focus.

This, they believe, would enable better planning, allocation of resources, and tailored programs for young learners.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, who hosted the delegation, called for the establishment of a special fund dedicated to ECDE.

He said many counties are struggling with inadequate financing, leading to poor infrastructure and a lack of essential facilities.

The Senate Committee stressed that ECDE forms the bedrock of a child’s academic journey and overall development, and urged both national and county governments to prioritize investment in the sector.

"The function involving ECDEs issues, including employment, should get deliberate funding from national government through the grants so that in the next 10 to 15 years were should not be discussing cases where young children are going to mad schools or schools without roofs is something of big concern,” Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, noted.