KAKAMEGA’S FIRST EDUCATION DAY COMMEMORATED
Kakamega County Governor H.E. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya led hundreds of residents in marking the countyβs first ever education day at Kakamega Approved School grounds today themed βNurturing skills and talents for Social and Economic Development.β
During the ceremony 1,162 trainees from polytechnics across the county graduated in various disciplines. ECDE teachers in the county were also presented with appointment letters by the County Public Service Board and a Standard 4 Social Studies Course Book for Kakamega County by Longhorn Publishers launched.
Governor Oparanya commended the book publisher, represented by Hon. Francis Nyammo, for collaborating with his government to improve the quality of education in the county especially by offering ICT training to over 1000 ECD teachers.
On the scheme of service for ECDE teachers, Hon. Oparanya said discussions are ongoing with the Council of Governors to come up with a common framework for all the 47 counties in the country after which the teachers will be issued with final appointment letters. He revealed that this will pave way for harmonized terms and conditions of service including permanent and pensionable engagement for the teachers.
The Governor announced that ECDE education in Kakamega County will be free beginning January 2018 and a management board of five people will be established to ensure proper running of the centres. This, he said, will ensure a strong educational foundation for the children.
Governor Oparanya mentioned among others, construction of Centres of excellence, ECDE Centres ,employment of ECDE teachers and an increase in enrolment of pupils in the centres, employment of principals and instructors in the polytechnics as some of the milestones achieved by his government.
Earlier on, Governor Oparanya hosted Board of Management teachers who receive County Government monthly top up money as motivation for their services at the Kakamega Social hall. The program, only found in Kakamega of all the 47 counties, seeks to improve education levels in secondary schools across the County. He thanked the teachers for self lessly serving the County adding that the County Government was only providing the little top up to assist the education sector in the County.
Other guests in attendance were Deputy Governor H.E Prof. Philip Kutima, CEC members led by Education CEC Ebby Kavai, Members of the County Public Service Board led by the Chairperson Rodah Masaviru, Hon. MCA’s, representatives from KUPPET,KNUT and KESSHA among others.