Kiambu County gov't unveils 247 new ECDE centres

The Kiambu County government has completed 247 new Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres, Governor Kimani Wamatangi has revealed.

Wamatangi noted that this marks a new beginning for a sector that has long suffered from neglect and lack of support.

Each centre features two modern classrooms - PP1 and PP2 - an office for administrative use, separate ablution blocks for both teachers and learners and a well-equipped play area for children.

“Research consistently underscores the importance of early childhood education, revealing that a positive first impression of school significantly influences a child’s lifelong attitude toward learning. Recognising this, we have prioritized the modernisation of ECDE centres, aiming to ensure that the youngest learners begin their educational journey in an environment that is both nurturing and stimulating,” Wamatangi said.

“We are constructing new model ECDE centres and renovating existing ones to provide modern facilities akin to those found in private kindergartens.”

The Governor said the third phase of the project was already underway, with 62 ECDE more centres under construction, expected to be ready by June.

Wamatangi’s administration has also implemented a comprehensive feeding program to keep children in school and enhance their learning experience.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education, Dr. Mercy Njagi, said the initiative has significantly boosted attendance, with the number of learners increasing from 32,000 to over 39,600 in just one year.