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{
    "id": 698315,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/698315/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 182,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Muhia",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 968,
        "legal_name": "Wanjiku Muhia",
        "slug": "wanjiku-muhia"
    },
    "content": "of the BoM because there could be reasons why that child was not admitted in an ECDE at the right age. If we pass this Bill as it is, we may lock out some children. The idea of making ECDE compulsory is very much welcome. However, in Nyandarua County, a nursery school is five kilometres away. That has been the case since time immemorial until recently, when I put up a nursery school between the five kilometres. For that reason, most parents have opted to keep their children at home until they are able to walk. The crime rate is high in Kenya today. Children are raped along the road. Allowing children to walk long distances on their own exposes them to criminals. A colleague raised the issue of distance. This should be captured in this Bill. What is the ideal distance between one ECDE centre and the other? If we reduce the distance, it can then be made compulsory for children to go to ECDE centres. It makes no sense to make it compulsory for children to go to school if there is no school nearby. I am also concerned about the training of ECDE teachers. The idea of diploma is welcome. However, we are aware that several colleges offer certificate courses. We have nursery school teachers who have a lot of experience. I still see my nursery school teacher teaching. Therefore, we cannot lay them off because they do not have diploma qualifications. During the Committee stage, the House should consider that. Facilities at ECDE centres in this country are wanting. Since we are now more open, we are able to interact more. The ECDE has been devolved to the counties. The structures in which children learn can shape their perception of what is good or bad. A nursery school with very nice structures encourages children to attend school without absconding. However, a pathetic facility may not encourage children to go to school. We should have standardised ECDE facilities across the country. As I conclude, I would like to speak on the issue of children with special needs. I support persons with special needs on many avenues, be it in terms of policy formulation or in a personal way. This Bill does not say that ECDE teachers should be trained on how to handle children with special needs. These children should be categorised and those with special needs put in one class. However, it beats logic because children with special needs will always require a trainer with special skills. One of the great persons in this country, the wife of the late Kimathi, who is a good friend of mine living in Njabini, always tells me a story about ECDE. While working with the Government in Ol Kalou, Mukami Kimathi realised during her inspection tours that nursery schools were being headed by men. She asked why nursery school children were being taken care of by men. She says that from that time, which was in the 1970s long before I was born, nursery school teachers were changed. Up to now, majority of nursery school teachers are women. It will also be good if training will come on board. This is very sentimental to me for the old woman having made such remarks which possibly changed the country. With those few remarks, I support this Bill."
}