KENYA-INCOMPETENCY INTEACHERS' TRAINING

04/EEN/012

By NICHOLAS ANYUOR

Director of Basic Education Mrs Leah Rotich has accused trainers of early childhood education teachers of incompetence.

Rotich revealed the trainers have no lesson plans, 75 per cent have no records of work, and 65 per cent have no schemes of work while some have no class registers.

“It is imperative for programme officers and deans of curriculum to ensure all trainers make adequate preparation and have well maintained professional records and documents. The ministry will take appropriate action on those who do not adhere to this,” she warned.

In 2007, the Government, through the Community Support Grants gave out Sh1.2 billion to support early childhood education including training teachers.

Rotich says money has been disbursed to over 8,000 public centres.

“Monitoring reveals a general laxity by trainers in all the centres visited. Action will be taken against the trainers,” she says.

According to the director, the ministry spent about Sh4.4 million in 2007 to sponsor P1 teachers in every district to undertake diploma courses in childhood development to make them eligible to teach the ECD certificate course, but still the trainers are not effective.

increasing number

There has been an increase of ECD centres from 28, 300 in 2002 to 37, 954 in 2008 and a rise in the percentage of the 4-5 year-old children accessing ECD services from 35 per cent in 2005 to 41 per cent in 2008.

“The number is increasing and we need quality training so that our children can benefit. Quality programmes should comprise essential experiences a child needs to survive and thrive in life as well as from the family and the community,” she says.

Speaking during the graduation of ECD teachers at Asumbi Teachers Training College, in Homa Bay, Rotich urged parents to enrol their children in nursery schools, as it is beneficial to their growth and development.

“ECDE provide children with fairer and better start in life and even give them a strong foundation for lifelong learning. These children perform better in primary schools because of the positive experiences they undergo at the centres,” she said.

She encouraged ECD teachers holding Certificates and Diplomas to further their studies