By Anne Odida.
The Early Childhood Development (ECD) Network for Kenya National Coordinator, Dr. Teresa Mwoma, has underscored the need for counties to prioritize early childhood development education.
She says the dissemination of the findings of studies should be done to evaluate the status of ECD in the country.
Speaking during a forum in Nairobi, Dr. Mwoma stated that this will enable children aged 0–5 years to develop to their full potential.
“We were trying to check on some of the budget lines or items that focus on activities that support children below 5 years, for example, a budget around immunization, maternal child healthcare, and nutrition supplementation. We need to have guidelines that outline the funds that should go to young children,” said Dr Mwoma.
However, counties in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) have reported a higher percentage when it comes to funding for early childhood, with counties like Samburu topping the list at 87% and Nyandarua coming last at 5%.
“Given their disadvantaged environment and distances to schools, the county governments have tried to put in more resources to support the early learning levels. Other counties should borrow this,” she said.
Stakeholders, including partners from the Food for Education Organization in Nairobi, have also advocated for funding at county governments where ECD is mandated, urging the relevant personnel to consider matters like school feeding and universal school coverage as a public good.
“Funding is a very important element in ensuring that all the components of nurturing care that relate to young children at the foundational level are met. We have noticed as a sector that ECD is underfunded,” said Ms. Ruth Mwendo.
The Nairobi City Director of Education, Ms. Ruth Owuor, highlighted that Nairobi is ahead in other areas, including capitation, since 2018.
“In terms of early childhood development on the side of policy, we are not where we want to because we intend to have an ECD policy, which is currently at the assembly level, but in terms of childcare, we have a policy already. This is the only county in Kenya with a child care policy,” said Ms. Owuor.
Among the recommendations by the stakeholders present is the enhancement of governance commitment, especially for county governments to prioritize nurturing care by developing the skills of health care workers and pre-primary teachers and allocating resources for training and professional development.
The ECD Network Kenya will be heading to Mombasa County on 4th December, 2023, for the dissemination of their findings on the same.