47 county governments have been given an ultimatum to increase the salaries of nursery school teachers.
The Senate issued a directive giving 47 units a 60-day deadline to ensure that all nursery school teachers receive increased pay.
This new directive specifically targets the 42,700 teachers employed by various counties.
“The committee recommends that all county governments should provide a budget for ECDE and effect wage increases within 60 days of presenting this report,” she remarked.
It comes after Parliament’s Education Committee revealed that 23 counties have yet to begin the process of implementing an existing scheme for early childhood development education teachers (ECDEs).
Only eight counties are paying nursery teachers in full what they are entitled to under the scheme, while the remaining sixteen are paying tutors only partially.
“23 counties have not initiated any process to implement the service plan. They pay ECDE teachers’ stipends with most teachers being paid by parents,” said Alice Milgo, who chairs the committee.
According to Milgo, of the 13,502 teachers employed by the developed units, only 2,700 have permanent contracts.
Parent teacher unions pay salaries to 4,000 teachers in nursery school institutions, whose salaries are as low as Ksh7,000.
The county’s highest-paid ECDE teachers earn Ksh40,000, most of whom work on short-term contracts and thus miss out on pensionable terms.
“Some ECDE teachers have received stipends for work done since 2013. This is despite a draft plan of service validated by stakeholders, the National Fund, the Teachers’ Service Commission and the National Treasury,” Milgo said.
The Education Committee compiled the report in response to a petition filed by Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, which outlined the plight of teachers, who play a key role in laying the groundwork for learners.
The committee also directed the Governing Council to prepare a budget for ECDEs, review their job descriptions and submit them to the Wage and Remuneration Commission (SRC) for review within 100 days.
