THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023
Status Timeline
Proposed
Active now
Public Review
Pending
Debate
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Executive
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Final
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Remuneration Factors Standardised for Teachers
The bill introduces Section 38(2A) to the principal Act, requiring County Governments to consider specific parameters when determining salaries for early childhood education teachers. These include:
- The minimum rate advised by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission;
- Statutory minimum wage regulations;
- The qualifications of individual teachers.
County Education Boards to Recommend Welfare Measures
The bill amends Section 31 of the principal Act, adding a new paragraph (fa) that empowers County Education Boards to actively discuss and recommend measures to support the welfare of early childhood education teachers.
Teacher Welfare Mandated in Official Reporting
An amendment to Section 68(3)(a) of the principal Act introduces subparagraph (viiia), making the documentation and reporting of teacher welfare a mandatory requirement for County Education Boards in their official reports.
Bill No.
Bill No. 54 of 2023
Gazette No.
Supplement No. 238 of 2023
Sponsor
Eddy Oketch
Background
The Early Childhood Education (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was introduced in the Senate as Bill No. 54 of 2023 and sponsored by Senator Eddy Oketch, MP. The bill seeks to amend the Early Childhood Education Act (Cap 211B) to address long-standing challenges regarding the terms of service, pay disparities, and overall welfare of early childhood education teachers across Kenya's counties.
Key Amendments
Amendment of Section 31 of Cap 211B
The bill amends Section 31 of the principal Act by inserting a new paragraph (fa) which assigns a new function to County Education Boards to discuss and recommend measures for the welfare of teachers.
Amendment of Section 38 of Cap 211B
The bill inserts a new subsection (2A) to Section 38 of the principal Act, outlining clear parameters that county governments must take into account when determining the compensation payable to early childhood education teachers.
Amendment of Section 68 of Cap 211B
The bill amends Section 68(3)(a) of the principal Act by introducing subparagraph (viiia), ensuring that the welfare of teachers is explicitly incorporated into the reporting and review structures of County Education Boards.
New Obligations
Obligations on County Governments
When setting the salaries and remuneration packages for early childhood education teachers, County Governments are now legally obligated to assess and implement:
- The minimum rate advised by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC);
- National minimum wage regulations;
- The individual academic and professional qualifications of each teacher;
- Any other relevant economic or educational factor.
Obligations on County Education Boards
County Education Boards must now actively:
- Conduct discussions and make recommendations concerning the welfare of early childhood teachers;
- Ensure that details on teacher welfare are recorded and presented within their official progress and annual reports.
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Updates will be visible here once they are approved and applied to this bill.