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{
    "id": 561750,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/561750/?format=api",
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    "content": "have to formulate programmes and plans to ensure that these policies are put into place. They will be obligated to buy the necessary infrastructure and funds. The issue of funds was also very critical. When we went round the various counties, in some of them, they said that sometimes there is a lot of demand from the primary schools. Some of the money meant for ECD is actually shared out. The money that has been allocated to ECD must be used within that particular county so that the administration of early childhood education centres is not interfered with. The county obligations make it necessary for the county governments to be responsible because this is their duty. Counties should ensure that there is no sense of marginalisation so that vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are taken into consideration. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Clauses 7, 8 and 9 deal with duties of parents. This is very critical because, at the end of the day, parents must take their children to school. Clause 7 is very important because a fine is put in place. That is one of the strengths of the Bill. This is because there are parents who, for one reason or another, may not take their children to school. A fine not exceeding Kshs100,000 has been put for a parent who does not take his or her child to school. If there is a specific problem with the child, he or she should be examined and vetted to qualify as one who cannot go to school. Otherwise, the penalty is applicable. There are also duties of the principal; what the principal should do to ensure that a school runs well. For example, they need to submit a report about a child to the County Education Board. They also need to issue a written notice to the parent of the child requiring the child to comply with the provisions of the Act. Where a child cannot go to school, it should be a question of following through to make sure that all these provisions are put into place. If there is a reason a child cannot go to school, it has to be articulated and put across very clearly and discussed. Clause 9 deals with children with special needs, specifically. I have already touched on that. I will look at one aspect which is important; training teachers so that they can handle children with special needs. Most of the times in various institutions, there are children with special needs, but nobody understands them. You may find a child who is blind or deaf and the teacher struggles to shout asking if the child can hear whatever they are saying. Of course, the child cannot hear the teacher. That is why he or she cannot respond to the teacher’s question. Therefore, there should be specialised training within the ECDE centres to equip teachers well so that they can deal with children effectively. Clauses 10 and 11 deal with registration of the ECDE centres which are very important. In these Clauses, the County Education Board has to keep a record of all education centres; the number of education centres and their accreditation to ensure that at any time they are registered and known. The idea of registration and specifications for registration is very key. The accreditation process is also very key. It is clearly outlined on how exactly they will push to ensure that, that happens. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the process has not just been left at that. Finally, even after registration for a particular centre has been done, it must have a certificate of registration. The certificate must be displayed clearly. 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."
}