Barasa pours cold water on ECD proposal
By dennis-lumiti, January 4, 2024
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has opposed a proposal to cede the management of Early Childhood Development and Education centres to the national government.
Barasa said the Council of Governors (CoG) would strongly resist such a move as it goes against the spirit of devolution.
He said the national government should instead be considering ceding more functions to county administrations for the good of Kenyans.
He said management and promotion of ECDE centres had been very effective under county governments.
“Recent remarks by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu that primary school head teachers would assume control of the ECDE centres starting January 2024 should be resisted,” said Barasa.
Manage centres
“County governments have tried their best to manage these centres effectively unlike in the past before they were devolved. We shall not accept any schemes to snatch them from us,” he added.
Speaking in Lugari Constituency when he graced the finals of a soccer tournament on Tuesday, the governor stated that no agreement has been reached between the State and county governments regarding the transfer.
He urged the national government to reconsider the decision as there was no consensus between the concerned parties.
Machogu had earlier declared the impending transition, suggesting that primary school head teachers would play a pivotal role in the oversight of ECDE facilities.
However, Barasa disputed this move, arguing that such a shift in management required thorough consultations and collaboration between the relevant authorities.