Early Childhood Education Development (ECDE) teachers in Uasin Gishu County now have a reason to smile after the county confirmed them as permanent and pensionable employees.
Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim confirmed the teacher’s employment on Friday, September 23, 2022.
Speaking during the event, the governor said with the ECDE teachers now permanent employees of the county, they stand to benefit from among others improved basic salary, housing as well commuting allowance.
“This will enhance your motivation to work due to job security,” Chelilim told the ECDE teachers.
Other benefits include entitlement to annual leave and allowances, access to loans for personal and family development, medical services through the county medical scheme and career progression according to the ECDE scheme of service.
New terms
Since the onset of devolution in 2013, ECDE teachers in Uasin Gishu have been earning a flat rate of Ksh10,000 salary per month, but that is now about to change.
Their permanent employment which takes effect on September 1, 2022, will see their salaries increase by double, and even five times for some – depending on their educational qualifications.
Governor Bii said certificate teachers will be earning Ksh23,020 while those with diplomas will be taking home Ksh30,370 every month.
For ECDE teachers that have degrees, their salaries will be Ksh51,570 per month.
Following the internal advertisement for the ECDE teachers in Uasin Gishu in May 2022, all the one thousand three hundred and seventy-five (1,375) teachers who had been working as casuals applied.
The teachers applied in three categories – graduate ECDE teacher III at job group K with 20 positions, 100 diploma holders and 1,500 certificate holders.
“1,287 teachers who met all the criteria are expected to be appointed on Permanent & Pensionable while the others would be maintained on a temporary basis as they acquire the necessary qualifications and requirements (at most two years),” the Uasin Gishu County boss said.
He further revealed that the county is now in the process of coming up with a school feeding program to help boost nutrition.
Speaking at the same event, Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Eng. John Barorot said with improved terms for ECDE teachers, they expect better education for pupils in ECDE centres across the county.
“We are now looking at the possibility of pupils moving from private ECDE centres to public ones because of the quality of education that will be offered there,” said Eng. Barorot.
