Agency steps in to solve fallout over ECD running
By Alvin.Mwangi, January 16, 2024The Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) has moved to resolve the dispute between county and national government on the running of Early Childhood Development and Education centers.
IGRTC chairperson Kithinji Kiragu, said they have called for a meeting tomorrow to hold consultations on the recommendations relating to the implementation of the pre-primary function as envisaged in law.
The move to call the consultative meeting comes amid allegations by the Council of Governors (COG) that the function of the Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) had been taken over by the national government in line with the commendation by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER).
PWPER, in its report released early last year, recommended the transfer of the management of over 30,000 ECDE centers, which are currently under the County Governments to the national government. Kiragu said the PWPER only made a recommendation and has no power to transfer any function from one government to another.
“In view of this confusion, there is a need for more consultations between the two levels of government on the matter before an agreement can be reached,” Kiragu said.
He further said that in this regard and under the IGRTC mandate as provided in the Intergovernmental Relations Act, 2012, his committee had written to the two levels of government, inviting them to a consultative meeting on January 16, 2024, to try and reach an amicable solution to this impasse.
“IGRTC notes that there was a need for further consultations between the two levels of government, arising from the issues raised by the Council of Governors and also acknowledging the constitutional tenets on consultations and cooperation between the two levels of government.