HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 442562,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/442562/?format=api",
"text_counter": 56,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "June 18, 2014 SENATE DEBATES 8 Sen. (Dr.) Zani",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the Chair of the Committee on Education, I start by thanking the Members of the Senate for the enormous contributions that they have made. As we discussed this report, there was an agreement among the Members in the Senate that this was a comprehensive report that had delved into very key and critical issues in education, especially early childhood education which is a devolved function. Secondly, matters of education, especially at preliminary levels, have not been given the attention that they deserve. It, therefore, became necessary for us, as a Committee, to go round to the various counties to find out exactly what is happening. We need to establish the levels of ECDs in these specific counties and what the challenges are, so that we can begin to network with the various counties and levels of leadership within the counties. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Committee tried as much as possible to engage the various stakeholders at the county level, including the county governments themselves. We also visited various centres to see for ourselves what is happening, so that when recommendations are made, this is done from a very informed point of view. The counties that were visited are from the Coast namely; Lamu, Tana River, Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale. This initiative targeting coastal counties is important because we know for a long time that counties from the Coast in terms of education performance have not been able to exhibit the sort of excellence that they is found elsewhere. There is still a long way to go. Therefore, some of the recommendations in this report cut across, not only the counties that were visited, but also other counties, probably, also marginalized counties. This is very important. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we wanted to find out the county priorities as far as education and ICT is concerned. Even as the events of Mpeketoni unfolded in Lamu County, the whole country was able to know what was happening very quickly because of ICT. The initiatives that can be used in ICT in the world today cannot be understated. Therefore, for us in this Committee, it is important to ensure that centres are well equipped, that computers are given to those centres, teachers are well trained and motivated and that they have been employed and remunerated in an adequate way. We will continue to address some of these issues in our Committee through the ECD Bill that will shortly be presented to the House. This Bill delves into specific issues that are important. Issues of financial resources are key. They are essential for equitable development. The recommendations in this report are such that there should be equitable development. We, as a Committee, also wanted to look at the process in the infrastructural development within the various counties. Indeed, in the long run we are looking at what we are calling the best classroom model for children between the ages of three and six so that as they go through this educational experience, they can enjoy, learn and understand what is happening. Various challenges and recommendations have been given in the report because this report was discussed in detail in this House. I do not want to go again and discuss them afresh. But I will just mention them in way of passing and take on board the recommendations that were made by the various Senators who spoke to this report. Among the challenges are issues of poor pay, lack of support, especially for teachers at The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}