The Senate Committee on Education has raised concerns over persistent challenges affecting Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) in Migori County, citing issues around teacher remuneration, infrastructure, and policy implementation.

During a session at the Parliament of Kenya on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the committee, chaired by Betty Montet, engaged Governor Ochilo Ayacko and his executive team on the status of ECDE and Vocational Training Centres (VTCs).

The meeting is part of an ongoing nationwide oversight exercise that has so far covered 31 counties and included 19 field visits.

Enrolment rises amid staffing and pay concerns

Migori County reported an enrolment of 67,602 learners in public ECDE centres and 19,159 in private institutions, reflecting continued demand for early childhood education. However, the committee questioned whether existing staffing and facilities are sufficient to sustain quality learning outcomes.

The county has employed 659 ECDE teachers on permanent and pensionable terms, alongside 339 teachers hired by parents through Boards of Management. These teachers earn monthly stipends ranging between Ksh4,000 and Ksh8,000. Senators raised concern over disparities in pay, noting that many teachers earn below the guidelines set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.

Senators said the reliance on parent-employed teachers could affect both teacher-learner ratios and consistency in service delivery. They also pointed to broader concerns about the sustainability of such arrangements in maintaining quality standards across ECDE centres.

Governor Ayacko acknowledged the remuneration challenges, attributing them to budgetary limitations. He noted that the county had made incremental improvements, including increasing allowances from Ksh800 to Ksh3,400. He also confirmed that recruitment is underway to hire an additional 300 ECDE teachers.

“We are committed to progressively improving their terms of service,” he assured the committee.

Infrastructure gaps and policy implementation challenges

Infrastructure and learning conditions also came under scrutiny, with senators questioning the adequacy of facilities in ECDE centres across the county. Concerns were raised about the lack of designated playgrounds and the sharing of spaces with primary schools, often due to limited land availability.

Catherine Mumma questioned whether existing ECDE centres meet minimum standards, particularly for children in the formative 0–6 age bracket. She also sought clarification on the status of the county’s ECDE policy and its implementation.

The governor acknowledged existing gaps in infrastructure, school feeding programmes, and learning materials. He said the county is working to address these challenges, including plans to introduce a structured feeding programme and improve facilities in the upcoming financial year. He added that efforts are underway to formalise operational arrangements through a Memorandum of Understanding with primary schools.

Concerns were also raised about teacher-learner ratios, with Nderitu Kinyua noting the strain caused by reliance on non-permanent staff. Senators further pointed to the absence of clear budgetary provisions for school feeding programmes.

Oversight, funding pressures and reform commitments

The committee noted that a quality assurance assessment conducted in May 2025 in collaboration with the national government had reviewed key areas including infrastructure, teacher qualifications, instructional materials, sanitation, and inclusivity for learners with special needs.

The Migori session follows a similar engagement with Vihiga County on March 31, 2026, where senators raised concerns over classroom construction costs, inadequate play areas, sanitation issues, and delays in implementing teacher schemes of service. Both counties cited financial constraints as a key challenge.

Chairperson Betty Montet cautioned against maintaining current conditions, urging counties to prioritise improvements in ECDE infrastructure, furniture, and clearly demarcated learning spaces. She confirmed that the committee plans to conduct a field visit to Migori County to assess progress.

Governor Ayacko called for increased support from the Senate to enhance funding for counties, noting that ECDE remains a devolved function requiring adequate resources. He said improved budget allocations would enable alignment with national standards, including teacher remuneration and expansion of key programmes such as school feeding.

The committee reaffirmed its commitment to continued engagement with county governments to strengthen ECDE and vocational training delivery across the country.