The 2010 constitution of Kenya emphasizes on delegation of duties from national level of government to county level government.The fourth Schedule of this constitution places pre-primary education and childcare facilities under the county government. The purpose of this study was to determine the prospects and challenges facind the devolved sdevolved system of government and the provision of ECDE taking a survey in Bomet Central sub-County in Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: to examine the role of county government in training of ECD teachers in Bomet county; to determine the extent of county government participation in recruitment and supervision of ECD teachers in Bomet county; to investigate the level of remunaration by county government in Bomet County and to establish the status of physical facilities in ECD centers in Bomet county. The study utilized descriptive survey design. The study population comprised 143 head teachers and 183 ECD teachers from all the pre-schools in Bomet Central. Out of these a sample of 52 head teachers and 68 ECD teachers was used in data collection. The researcher used purposive and simple random sampling in the selection of population. The primary data was collected using questionnaires, and Observation Checklist. The researcher piloted the instruments among 10 head teachers and 10 ECDE teachers who were not included in the actual sample. Data was coded and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Qualitatively descriptive statistics were used and quantitatively, analysis of variance (ANOVA).The study established that the county government did not actively engage in the training of ECD teachers though they actively participated in employment of these teachers. It further established that the county government officials were not adequately equipped to handle inspection and assessment of ECDE services. It was established in the study that teachers in the county government were not paid adequate salaries. This led to high levels of demotivation and turnover of teachers. The study also established that the status of physical facilities in ECD centers in the county were not enough for all the children enrolled and were in in dilapidated state due to the fact that the county government was not involved in repairs and maintenance. Based on these findings the study recommends that county government need to partner with other players in the provision of financial support that will facilitate construction of permanent classes, provision of teaching and learning materials and other physical facilities that are required at the ECDE centers. It is the recommendation of the study that the county government should provide adequate and regular salaries for ECDE teachers. Adequate salary for the teachers will ease teachers' financial constraints and will improve work conditions at the ECDE centers for proper implementation of ECDE

The quality of learning environment in classroom setting is critical to effective teaching and learning process in classroom. This research paper presents the results of study conducted in West Pokot County public Early Childhood Development Education centres with regard to classroom environmental setting and provision of quality education. The study involved use of qualitative and quantitative research methodology. The target population for the research involved 365 head teachers, 682 teachers and 4 DICECE officers. Data for the research was collected through use of questionnaire, interview and researcher observation. Data collected was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics for quantitative data and thematic content analysis for qualitative data. Research results showed that 37.1% of ECDE centres studied were not having standardised environmental setting that could facilitate provision of quality education to pupils in West Pokot County. It was found out that less than 50% of classrooms were ventilated, only 24.9% of classrooms studied were found to have enough space for easy classroom movement and 36.1% of classrooms were found to be accessible by all learners. The study recommends that there is need for ECDE teachers to work with head teachers to ensure that classrooms setting are safe, secure and conducive for teaching and learning process. On the policy front, there is need for county government to work with national government to establish appropriate standards for ideal indoor classroom environmental setting for ECDE learners.

This is a survey report that was conducted in mid 2013, with the view of unveiling some of issues facing Basic Education sector within the County of Kisumu in Kenya. The Overall Goal of the survey was to identify interventions that can help in achieving quality education for all within the County while the Objective was to basically document the current status of basic education within the county of Kisumu in view guiding multi-sectoral evidence based advocacy within the realm of Basic Education.

In Kenya, the County governments, through the county education boards are tasked with the responsibility of overseeing the operation and management of Pre-primary education programs. Despite the growing importance of Early Childhood Education programme, there is lack of schemes of service for ECDE teachers, low and irregular remuneration of pre-school teachers thus adversely affecting the morale of these teachers. Teacher qualification is instrumental for quality learning, not only in pre-primary education but also in other levels. The study sought to examine the level of expertise of the staff implementing the policy on the management of public ECDE centers in Elgeyo-Marakwet County. This study adopted a descriptive survey research design and anchored on systems theory. The target population for this study comprised ECDE officials, all the head-teachers and teachers in all the public ECDE’s in Elgeyo-Marakwet County. The study used stratified sampling to stratify Elgeyo- Marakwet County into sub-counties that form 155 ECDE schools from Keiyo North, 144 ECDE schools from Keiyo south, 118 ECDE schools from Marakwet East and 156 ECDE schools from Marakwet West. Simple random sampling was used to select the respondents for the study from the strata. Thus, 344 ECDE teachers and 172 head teachers participated in the study. The 5 ECDE officials were purposely included in the study sample. Data collection was done using a combination of sets of questionnaire, interview guides and checklists. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Chi-square test was used to find the relationship between the variables investigated. Data was presented using tables. The study established that majority of ECDE teachers had attained diploma qualification with a few who had attained master’s degree. Majority (67.4%) of the respondents said that there was no implementation policy on level of expertise in the policy. Similarly, the study established that there existed a relationship between the level of expertise of the staff in implementing policies and the management of public ECDE centers in Elgeyo-Marakwet County government(χ2=762.066, df=45 and sig=0.001). The study recommends on the need for individual and collective efforts on the part of teachers to keep themselves abreast of any new development regarding pedagogy and any relevant aspects of teaching and learning so as to remain relevant in their career. This can be done by way of professional development through in servicing.

Acknowledged contributor

The fourth schedule of the Kenyan constitution (2010) places Pre-Primary education and child care facilities under the County government. To effectively execute this role, County governments in Kenya need to put in place appropriate policy frame-work to govern this programme of education. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utilization of media resources policy that affect management of public ECDE centers in Elgeyo-Marakwet County. A descriptive survey research design was adopted and the systems theory guided this study. The study targeted 573 head-teachers, 1146 ECDE teachers and 5 ECDE officials in the county. Random sampling was used to select 521 respondents of whom, 172 were head teachers, 344 were ECDE teachers and all the 5 ECDE officials were purposely sampled. The data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedule and observation checklist. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and the findings presented using frequency tables. The study found that infrastructure in the ECDE centers are of low quality and needs concerted efforts between the County Government and the National Government to improve the learning facilities as well as the physical facilities in the ECDE centers. The study established that there was a significant relationship between utilization of infrastructure, teaching and learning resources policy and the management of public ECDE centers in Elgeyo-Marakwet County ( 𝑥2=768.807, df=81 and sig=0.000). There should also be deliberate efforts to ensure that all ECDE centers have facilities which can be used by children with special needs or disabilities. The learning compound should be made secure for the leaners and the teachers by constructing fences around the facilities. The county government in collaboration with the national government should avail more physical infrastructure, operationalize the school feeding program in all ECDE centers.