Garissa County to develop ECDE Bill to reduce dropout rates

Stakeholders in Garissa County convened a preparatory meeting to lay the groundwork for the development, review, and submission of the Garissa County Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) Bill.

The bill will offer guidance to pre-primary education- popularly known as nursery education- and supervise service providers throughout the county.

The new ECD policy would minimise repetition, reduce dropout rates and improve capabilities for the learners.

The meeting, led by Garissa County Executive Member for Education, Information and ICT Ebla Minhaj, discussed how to align the bill with international best practices and the unique needs of children in the region, to harness expertise and resources for a comprehensive approach.

During a meeting held on Friday, crucial aspects were addressed to guarantee a collaborative and inclusive process.

These included establishing a shared vision, outlining a collaborative drafting process drawing from global expertise, and devising a stakeholder engagement strategy to ensure broad participation.

Save the Children, a humanitarian organisation advocating for children's rights and education pledged its support and expertise to strengthen the drafting and review process.

The commitment to cooperation was reaffirmed as both parties resolved to work closely throughout the bill's development, review, and submission process.

The establishment of a Board to be known as the Garissa County Education Board was proposed during the engagement meeting.

The board will advise the Executive Committee Member, the Department of Education and related departments on policy matters with respect to Education.

It will also plan, promote, develop, and coordinate education, training and research in the county in accordance with the provisions of the bill, the Basic Education Act, the national education policy and the laws and policies of the county government.

Save the Children, a key participant in the conference expressed pride in contributing to initiatives aimed at ensuring access to quality education for all children.

The organisation advocated for increased budgetary allocations across Kenya, affirming that investing in children's early years is investing in the nation's future.

Save the Children shared insights into their ECD-focused programme, which prioritises positive parenting, inclusive education, child protection, and positive discipline.

“Education knows no boundaries, and we firmly believe in empowering every child with the tools to learn and grow,” said the non-state actor.

The agency added, “Together, we can create a positive impact and pave the way for a more educated and thriving society.”

A partnership with the county government is set to inspire breakthroughs in children's lives and create safe and nurturing environments for learning.

During the 2023/2024 financial budget, the Garissa County government demonstrated its commitment to enhancing education and children's quality of life.

Substantial funds were allocated to various initiatives, including the recruitment of 200 ECD teachers, as well as improved teacher-student ratio and investments in infrastructure to create safer learning environments.

Resources were directed towards a school feeding program to address nutrition and enhance enrollment, while a county bursary programme aims to alleviate financial barriers to education for disadvantaged children.