Meru ECDE teachers want county to implement scheme of service

More than 1,000 Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) teachers in Meru want the county government to implement a scheme of service that was developed nearly a decade ago.

Kenya Union of Pre-primary Education Teachers (Kunnopet) Meru branch chairman Harrison Kimathi led called on the county government to implement the scheme of service to end the teachers 'suffering.'

Mr Kimathi said the teachers working in about 800 ECDE centres across Meru were poorly paid, overworked and not promoted despite their professional qualifications.

He regretted that the certificate, diploma and degree holders were all getting the same salary yet the scheme of service detailed how much the teachers in various job groups should earn.

The teachers also have a huge overload, with some manning classrooms with many learners.

"You find a teacher handling a class of 60 children. That means a teacher cannot give each learner the special attention needed for effective learning. That is against the policy which seeks to achieve quality education," he said during a media briefing in Meru town.

"This workload can (only) be addressed by employment of more ECDE teachers," he said.

Kimathi revealed that ECDE teachers were earning a net salary of Sh22,620.

Commuter and house allowance are pegged at Sh3,000 and Sh2,750, respectively, he said.

"That cannot sustain us in this economy. As young ECDE teachers we want to be remunerated as stipulated in the scheme of service," he said.

According to the scheme, a degree holder should earn up to Sh57,230.

Certificate and diploma holders should be paid Sh26,460 and Sh37,000, respectively.

The teachers also took issue with the decision to refer to them as 'senior support staff' in the primary schools where they share the compound.

"We find this very demeaning to ECDE teachers. Because we went to school, and earned certificates, diploma and degrees. We are registered by the Teachers Service Commission and many of us want to pursue further education and earn Master's and PhD," said Kimathi.

"We are the people who lay the foundation for the children's development and education. We work hard despite the challenges," he added.

The teachers roles  include teaching, role modelling, guidance and counselling, mentoring and motivation of learners, preparing reports on the children and ensuring their safety and security.

Others functions include organising and facilitating play and learning activities.

The scheme of service was developed by the Ministry of Education in partnership with Council of Governors (CoG), TSC, Salaries and Remuneration Commission, National Treasury, Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development and others.

Meru County Secretary Kiambi Atheru said; "Development of service is on. On the employment, some budget was set aside for the same. Currently we are engaging with Controller of Budget matters wagebill.”

CoG Chief Executive Officer Mary Mwiti said the scheme laid the foundation for standardized and effective teacher professional management, career growth and effective service delivery in ECDE centres.

"The scheme outlines basic job descriptions, personal qualities and competencies required for each job grade and the minimum requirements," Mwiti said.