Elgeyo Marakwet government has increased the enrolment of ECDE learners in Elgeyo Marakwet by more than 30 per cent within the last two years.
The county now has 31,000 ECDE learners, up from 26,000.
Rotich has also improved payment and other benefits for 946 teachers in the 528 centres.
“We value the work ECDE teachers are doing and we will do everything possible to ensure their terms and conditions of service are improved,” he said.
Rotich was recently rated as one of the best-performing governors by Infotrak.
Although the teachers are working on contract terms, Rotich ordered a gradual increase in their salaries from Sh14,000 to Sh22,000.
“Once we get necessary resources soon we will ensure we employ the teachers on permanent and pensionable terms,” he said. The governor has instructed the education department to ensure ECDE units are well equipped.
“Since Governor Rotich took over he has been keen to ensure improvements to benefit the increasing number of learners,” said Education Chief Officer Paul Ruto.
He said the county is the only one giving a capitation of Sh1,000 for ECDE learners.
“The capitation is just to ensure they get a balanced diet while in school and this has greatly enhanced enrolment,” Ruto said.
After taking over leadership, Rotich built an additional 94 ECDE centres and completed 37 stalled centres.
The county is working to ensure that every sublocation has an ECDE unit and children will not have to walk for more than three km to access education.
“In areas with electricity, we ensure the units are connected to power to enhance learning and facilitate digital learning programmes,” the chief officer said.
The digital learning initiative has attracted an additional 2,000 learners at 17 centres.
