More governors honor new ECDE scheme of service for teachers

Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers in Nyandarua County have a reason to celebrate after Governor Francis Kimemia honoured an agreement that will see them enjoy enhanced perks.

When issuing the 381 teachers with letters of engagement on Friday, Mr Kimemia reiterated his commitment to improving Early Childhood Education in the county by empowering tutors and carrying out infrastructural development.

They will be employed on a permanent and pensionable basis and each will earn Sh10,000 a month.

“If you recall, education was one of the key pillars in my manifesto. I pledge to improve and modernise our ECDEs as a way of boosting our early education. I also promised to look at the critical component of human resources,” said the governor.

The Scheme of Service was developed by the Department of Education together with the County Public Service Board, the Ministry of Public Service, the Public Service Commission, and the Teachers Service Commission. 

Friday last week, Governor Kimemia noted that the new Scheme of Service provides better remuneration for the ECDE teachers who have been underpaid for a long time and also provides for a clear career progression path.

“In the Scheme of Service, an ECDE teacher can be employed as an Assistant Teacher in Job Group F and retire as a Director ECDE Quality Assurance Director at Job Group R after furthering education and having demonstrated good leadership skills,” he said. 

In implementing the Scheme of Service, 381 serving preparatory assistants will be absorbed on permanent terms of service. 

An additional 200 teachers will be engaged to reduce the ECDE teacher shortage in the county. The new scheme will see the preparatory assistants enjoy a new and improved monthly package. It will also provide the teachers with opportunities for career progression. 

The Certificate holders’ entry grade will be at Job Group ‘E’; Diploma holders will be at Job Group ‘H’; while Degree holders will join the Scheme of Service at Job Group ‘K’. 

The scheme will also make it possible for certificate holders to rise from job group ‘E’ up to job group ‘K’. 

Diploma holders will rise from job group ‘H’ up to job group ‘N’. Degree holders will rise from the entry grade in job group ‘K’ up to job group ‘R’.

It further gives the teachers opportunities for continuous training by the county.

It is understood that the scheme will also attract more people and encourage the existing ones to pursue higher education for their individual career growth. 

“The Scheme of Service will motivate teachers leading to improved performance and service delivery. There will be improved learner management by the motivated teachers and lessen the burden on parents paying private tutors,” Kimemia said.