Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o has officially inducted 100 newly recruited Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers and trainers, reinforcing his administration’s dedication to enhancing foundational education across the county.
Speaking on Tuesday at the induction ceremony through his Deputy Governor Mathew Ochieng Owili, Nyong’o underscored the crucial role of county governments in pre-primary and vocational education. He pointed to Kisumu’s significant progress in the sector, noting that the county now has 653 ECDE centers catering to over 44,000 learners.
These improvements have been made possible not just by government efforts but also through partnerships with organizations like Play Action International and World Vision, which have supported infrastructure development and the provision of learning materials,” Nyong’o stated.
The governor emphasized the need for continued collaboration to address resource challenges, highlighting the construction of 350 classrooms and the introduction of digital learning programs as key interventions.
“We must continue to build on these partnerships to complement resource scarcity,” he said.
Nyong’o also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to teacher welfare, noting that 650 ECDE teachers had been transitioned to permanent and pensionable terms in 2022. He assured the new recruits that they would receive similar contracts, ensuring job security and motivation to deliver quality education.
Looking ahead, he stressed the importance of a comprehensive approach to education that includes nutrition, infrastructure, and teacher training to improve retention rates and achieve a 100% transition to higher education levels. He also highlighted Kisumu’s progress in vocational training, including the establishment of new centers and modern facilities such as motor vehicle garages to align training with industry demands.
“Together, we can develop our county through quality teaching at the foundational level and quality training for better earnings for our youth,” Nyong’o said, urging the newly inducted teachers and trainers to be role models and mentors in their communities.
Deputy Governor Owili commended Nyong’o’s leadership in securing permanent and pensionable terms for ECDE teachers, emphasizing that his administration prioritizes service delivery. He called on teachers to remain dedicated to their duties, stressing the need for accountability in the sector.
“We expect you to deliver on your mandate. We are for service delivery. Every person must do their part,” Owili stated. “When I was growing up, we used to hear that the teacher was absent or had gone to the market. That is unacceptable. We need an engaged workforce.”
The induction ceremony underscored Kisumu County’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its education sector, ensuring that young learners receive a solid foundation for future academic and career success.
