𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐚 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬

𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐚 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬

The Senate Committee on Education has praised Mombasa County’s advancements in Early Childhood Development (ECD) for its investment in infrastructure, nutritional programs, and initiatives to guarantee fair access to education.

The committee, headed by Chairperson Senator Betty Montet, toured the region as an aspect of their nationwide oversight journey.

During a meeting with Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, the senators learned that the county currently serves over 44,820 ECD learners across 94 public facilities, 24 centers for special needs, and 955 registered private entities.

“We are dedicated to making sure that every child in Mombasa obtains quality early education,” stated Nassir.

“The county entirely funds ECD learners with an annual allocation of Sh3,200 per child. Parents are not required to contribute; this is completely financed by the county government,” he mentioned.

The financial support aids teaching, educational materials, and infrastructure development. The governor verified that 12 new centers are being built, and two advanced schools have already been finished at a cost of Sh29 million.

Each of the centers comprises four classrooms, a staff room, sanitation amenities, and a dedicated play area.

However, Taita Taveta Senator Mwashushe Mwaruma promptly sought clarification regarding the consistency of costs, questioning if 29 million was the standard price for all the centers.

The county officials replied that the amount includes provisions for future growth, with structures constructed on solid foundations to handle the anticipated population rise.

The county’s ECD feeding initiative was also emphasized, where 8,000 to 10,000 children are served hot meals daily at a cost of Sh30 per child.

Moreover, the county has employed 342 ECD teachers, with 210 on permanent and pensionable contracts and the others on temporary agreements.

Nassir mentioned that many teachers were recruited by the previous government and that the county is striving to standardize employment conditions, including salary and medical insurance coverage.

“No child should be deprived of education due to hunger, as this is not an occasional initiative; meals are provided every day,” expressed the governor.

“This is a topic worth discussing,” remarked the governor, adding that ECD is the cornerstone of our educational system, and we are already making significant investments in the program.

Nassir also elaborated on how the county has upgraded its TVET institutions to meet market needs by introducing new programs in maritime studies to take advantage of the region’s economic potential.

“We also have ambitious plans to convert Mtongwe Vocational Training Centre into a Blue Economy Hub to train and equip individuals with skills advantageous to our Coastal Economy,” he stated.

The governor further highlighted the county’s initiative for recognizing prior learning by granting certificates to those already engaged in trades, transportation, and seafaring.

The senators continued to question how such a comprehensive program could be sustained when vocational training had reportedly received no budget funding.

The governor clarified that Sh15 million had been allocated for vocational training, with Sh4 million already disbursed.

Among the projects is the conversion of a swimming pool into a blue economy facility to train youth for maritime jobs in Mtongwe, Likoni.
Meanwhile, Mombasa county has made sustainable water access a priority by drilling boreholes in 20 schools to ensure students have access to safe drinking water.

The county is also taking steps to guarantee that sanitation facilities adhere to acceptable standards, especially in ECD centers that share facilities with primary schools.

At the same time, the governor stated that the county is investing in youth skills through the Skills Mtaani initiative, which encompasses financial literacy and vocational training.

The governor further emphasized initiatives aimed at assisting youth in obtaining birth certificates and national IDs to ensure they can access education and employment opportunities.

For their part, the Senate Committee observed that Mombasa is among the counties making significant strides in implementing ECD programs.

“This is our seventh county to visit and we’re impressed,” Montet stated.

“Mombasa is building a strong foundation, particularly for those who may not proceed to university. That’s the true essence of devolution,” she remarked.

The committee is anticipated to present a report containing recommendations on policy, funding, and employment structure to the Senate.