Kirinyaga: The Kirinyaga County Government has intensified support for Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) learners through the provision of free learning materials, furniture, and uniforms in a move aimed at easing the financial burden on parents while improving the quality of early learning.
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative targets all 201 ECDE centres across the county and will see thousands of learners receive exercise books, pencils, crayons, building blocks, curriculum design books, and chalks. The county government is also distributing classroom furniture, including tables, chairs, storage units, and teacher desks, to create a more conducive learning environment.
The programme is part of a broader education infrastructure upgrade under the Department of Education and Public Service. This effort focuses on replacing dilapidated ECDE structures with modern, child-friendly classrooms. In 2024, Governor Anne Waiguru launched a countywide free ECDE uniform programme credited with increasing enrolment, improving learner retention, and reducing household expenditure. The county government has also strengthened staffing by employing trained ECDE teachers and placing them on permanent and pensionable terms.
So far, the county has constructed about 40 new ECDE classrooms and renovated 45 others, significantly improving access to quality early childhood education. The programme has also extended support to learners in special needs institutions, including schools for the deaf. Acting County Executive Committee Member for Education and Public Service, Millicent Ngari, stated that the interventions aim to support vulnerable families while motivating children at the foundation stage of learning.
Ngari mentioned that ECDE remains a key priority for the county government because it lays the foundation for future educational success. She added that improved classrooms and adequate learning materials are creating a more conducive environment for learners while easing pressure on parents.
At Kiandieri Primary School, where three ECDE classrooms have been renovated, 77 learners have benefited from new tables, chairs, and learning materials. Head teacher Jacinta Nyambura expressed that the intervention has transformed learning conditions, noting that all children now have uniforms, furniture, and learning materials, making learning easier and more organized.
At Kaitheri Primary School, 105 ECDE learners have benefited from the programme. Head teacher Nyaga Rowland reported remarkable improvements in infrastructure and learning resources, emphasizing that learners no longer have to share books and that the burden on parents has been lifted.
In Mutira Ward, at Gathuthuma Primary School, where 53 ECDE learners have benefited, parent Evans Kinyua acknowledged that the initiative has significantly eased financial pressure on families. He emphasized that the programme has promoted equality among learners, allowing children to focus on their education without socio-economic barriers.
The county government reiterates that the sustained investment in ECDE is intended to build a strong educational foundation and ensure every child has an equal opportunity to succeed from the earliest stages of learning.
