The Kenyan Senate is preparing to block a proposed merger of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teacher training with primary teacher education, raising concerns about constitutional devolution and the stability of early learning in counties.
During a session at Bunge Towers, the Senate Standing Committee on Education scrutinized a Ministry of Education directive aimed at integrating the Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education (DECTE) and the Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE) into a single Diploma in Teacher Education Pre-Primary and Primary (DTE PP & P) programme.
Chairperson Senator Betty Montet highlighted that ECDE falls under devolved functions per the Constitution, requiring involvement of counties and public participation for any changes in administration, training, or staffing. Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma reinforced this, stating, “ECDE is a devolved function, and any policy change affecting counties must be subjected to public participation and stakeholder consultation.”
Machakos Senator Kavindu Muthama pointed to the abruptness of the proposal, which has introduced uncertainty for enrolled students and training institutions operating under current guidelines. Kajiado Senator Seki Lenku Ole Kanar stressed the specialized nature of ECDE, warning that the merger could dilute professional standards and undermine the Competency-Based Curriculum's reliance on skilled early childhood educators.
Representatives from the Council of Governors, including Kericho Governor Dr Eric Kipkoech Mutai, noted the lack of prior consultation, despite ECDE being within county mandates. They cautioned that the change might disrupt education systems, strain budgets, and undo devolution-era progress in early learning.
Education experts from universities and training institutions echoed these views, emphasizing ECDE's play-based and care-oriented approach that demands distinct training pathways to support progression from certificate to postgraduate levels.
In response, the committee plans to gather submissions from counties and stakeholders before engaging the Ministry of Education formally. Several senators suggested suspending or withdrawing the directive until constitutional requirements, including consultations, are fulfilled.
