Kisumu county government is poised to revolutionize early childhood education with the imminent implementation of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Act 2023.
The Act, designed to ensure a comprehensive and nurturing upbringing for children, is currently undergoing final regulatory processes.
According to Bovince Ochieng’, the Chief Officer for Education, Technical Training, Innovation and Social Services, the county is committed to creating a supportive environment for children in its Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) centres.
He said that a dedicated committee is working diligently to finalize the regulations that will guide the Act’s implementation soon.
Speaking at the County Early Childhood Education Committee (CECEC) quarterly meeting, Ochieng’ emphasized the Act’s focus on promoting child health, nutrition, and responsive caregiving.
Wilikister Odera, the county’s Director of ECD, highlighted key aspects of the Act, including monthly growth monitoring, health record-keeping, nutritionist involvement and child-centered teaching methods.
Odera also announced plans to establish a county quality assurance and standards directorate.
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She added that to further enhance ECDE, the department is exploring best practices from other regions for developing age-friendly centers.
The Director noted that significant progress has already been made, with construction of 1,000 classrooms, employment of 700 trained teachers (with 100 more in the pipeline), and establishment of daycare facilities in county-run Vocational Training Centers to support teenage mothers.
The CECEC, a multi-sectoral platform, brings together representatives from various county departments, including health, finance, water, agriculture and social services. Other key stakeholders, such as the office of the County Commissioner, Teachers Service Commission, and partners like Catholic Relief Services, the National Council of Churches of Kenya, and SOS Children’s Villages, are also actively involved in the committee.
By Fredrick Odiero
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