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{
    "id": 562298,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/562298/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 269,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Hargura",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 827,
        "legal_name": "Godana Hargura",
        "slug": "godana-hargura"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I do not see why the pre-primary or ECDE should not also be standardized, thus the need for this kind of a Bill where we have to set out clearly the requirements, so that can then be adopted across the counties, maybe with some specific modifications depending on the prevailing conditions in those counties. This Bill is very elaborate; clearly setting out the objectives in terms of establishing comprehensive ECDE system, infrastructure and quality of education. In order to ensure that the compulsory part is attained, the infrastructure should be available in the first place. The Bill also specifically states who should do what, so that it does not become a task which is not defined and hanging in the air, with nobody to be held accountable. It is very clear that the county government has been given its responsibilities. It has provided the infrastructure necessary facilities and personnel or teaching staff. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, as it has been said before, the Bill also clearly sets out the requirements of an ECDE teacher, something that has been overlooked for a long time. Primary school leavers, secondary school leavers, dropouts and those who have not performed well will still end up as ECDE teachers. We realized that these children require somebody with more skills than just somebody who knows how to read and right. The Bill states very clearly that one has to be a diploma holder in ECDE and also a registered teacher by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), for the sake of standardization and ensuring that children throughout this country gain the basic minimum level of service in terms of education. It is stated very clearly that the curriculum has to be uniform in the sense that it has to be done by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) maybe with special inputs by the counties, taking into account their own specific conditions because situations are different within urban centers, rural set-ups and pastoralists’ communities. So, there are some county specific requirements in the curriculum which the County Executive Members (CECs) could chip in to make it county specific. However, having a curriculum developed by the KICD is the right way to go, so that we start with the same quality. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in case of the parents, because education is compulsory, then they have to avail the children for education. But, as it has been said, I think that the facilities have to first be there. In most areas, for example, the sparsely populated arid and semi arid areas, the main inhibiting factor for the young children going to school is the distance to the available school. I know of areas where the available school is maybe 10 kilometers and we still expect a child of three years to access that facility. That is not practical and the reason those who end up going to school do so after they are able to walk the 10 kilometers. That is the reason they start from Class One."
}