Senate committee calls for more funding, teachers in ECDE centres

The Senate Education Committee has urged county governments to boost funding for Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) centres and hire more teachers to enhance learning conditions for young children. During a tour of ECDE and vocational training centres in Machakos County on October 4, 2026, committee members evaluated the condition of infrastructure, staffing, and educational programs.

Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu urged counties to expedite the recruitment of ECDE teachers to tackle staffing shortages that have compelled some parents to hire private tutors.

The committee expressed concerns over the provision of meals to ECDE learners, noting interruptions in the school feeding program. Under the ECDE program, learners are entitled to meals comprising rice, beans, and porridge. However, the committee learned that some learners had gone without food for up to a month during the current term.

Consistent feeding programs are crucial for boosting attendance and learning among young children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Senate Education Committee Chairperson Betty Montet commended Machakos County for its investment in vocational training centres, highlighting that some facilities had modern infrastructure encouraging enrollment.

Montet emphasized that Machakos County has prioritized skilling young people to boost their employment and economic prospects. The committee stressed that investing in ECDE and vocational training is vital for strengthening education at both foundational and skills-development levels. This visit follows calls for county governments to prioritize ECDE by providing adequate classrooms, learning materials, teachers, and feeding programs as it is a devolved function.