Nominated Senator Beth Syengo has urged the Standing Committee on Education to provide a formal statement on the governance, registration, and management of Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) Centres in Kenya.
Speaking during a parliamentary session, Senator Syengo raised concerns about the current framework for managing ECDE, which she claims conflicts with the principles of devolution outlined in the Constitution.
While County Governments are responsible for overseeing pre-primary education, Senator Syengo pointed out that the National Government still controls the registration and licensing of ECDE Centres. This, she argues, contradicts Part II of the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution, which mandates the devolution of such responsibilities.
Senator Syengo has requested a thorough review of Section 17 of the Basic Education Act, 2013, which currently designates County Education Boards as National Government entities. She emphasized the need for clarity on why these responsibilities have not yet been transferred to County Governments, as stipulated in the Constitution.
“It is imperative that we adhere to the constitutional framework that supports local governance and empowers counties to manage their educational systems effectively,” Syengo stated, calling for swift action to resolve the inconsistencies.
She also pressed the Committee to outline any collaborative efforts between the National Government and County Governments that are aimed at fully devolving ECDE governance and management.
The Standing Committee on Education is expected to investigate these issues and provide a detailed response.
