Elizabeth Muli, announced the conversion of 453 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers to permanent and pensionable terms. This development marks the second cohort of teachers to receive permanent employment, following a previous cohort of 497 teachers.
The initiative underscores the county government’s commitment to improving the welfare of ECDE teachers, emphasizing the importance of adequately remunerating educators at both the national and county levels. Governor Muli highlighted the psychological understanding needed when teaching young learners and announced plans to introduce whiteboards in classrooms, citing health concerns associated with traditional blackboards.
“We are grateful to the teachers who have persevered since 2014 despite financial challenges. Now, they are smiling all the way to the banks,” Governor Muli expressed, acknowledging the dedication of the teachers who have long awaited this conversion since January this year.
Out of the 453 teachers, 372 hold diplomas, while 70 are certificate holders. An additional 10 teachers are set to be converted soon, pending the processing of their applications. The county has also invested in equipping ECDE centers with learning materials and creating a conducive learning environment for young learners.
Jennifer Julius, a newly converted teacher from Kalameni ECDE center, expressed gratitude to the county government, anticipating improved livelihoods and enhanced service delivery.
The move by Makueni County reflects a proactive approach towards enhancing early childhood education, ensuring that teachers are adequately supported and motivated in their crucial role of shaping young minds.
This initiative not only improves the professional status of ECDE teachers but also aims to elevate the quality of education provided to young children in the region, setting a positive precedent for educational reforms in Kenya.
