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{
    "id": 951383,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/951383/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 340,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nyaribari Masaba, NAPK",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Ezekiel Ombaki",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13458,
        "legal_name": "Ezekiel Machogu Ombaki",
        "slug": "ezekiel-machogu-ombaki"
    },
    "content": "per term, in order to pay the teacher. That means the county which should have taken the responsibility has kind of abdicated its responsibility. With the endorsement and passing of this Bill, I hope counties will come back to their senses and take this responsibility which is very key because it is at that first and initial impression that a child will get the foundation that will make him enthusiastic about education. If we do not make them enthusiastic at that level, it will affect their education when they join Standard One or Grade One and so on. I quite agree that the age given here of between four and six years is the best age for early childhood education. Once we make it compulsory, it means that all tiers of officials, including those of the national government like the chiefs, will entice parents to take their children to ECD centres at that particular age. Again, I think we should be able to give a ratio so that the county governments can allocate funds which will provide for the requisite infrastructure and employment of teachers. As of now, the teachers are employed by parents and guardians, which is not good enough. If we want a standard curriculum, then this particular aspect has to be looked into. Finally, in order to harmonise and have standards, it is imperative that the SRC gives guidelines on the salaries that should be paid to each and every teacher. I know the lowest paid cadres of employees in the counties are teachers of ECD centres; the few who have been employed. Like in the county that I come from, they are paid Kshs13,000. Look at the work that they do – moulding the minds of those young ones at that particular stage. I think this should be looked into such that their remuneration is improved and we have a standard amount for all the counties in the country. We should also look at the size of land in those education centres. In some places where we come from, you will find a primary school hosting an ECD centre with hardly two acres. If we say the minimum acreage is going to be one, then that will be quite problematic in a number of areas, including where I come from. With those few remarks, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I want to support this Bill and congratulate the Committee which has brought it."
}