The Council of Governors (CoG) has strongly criticised a directive by the Ministry of Education to merge the training of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers with primary school teacher education, arguing that the move threatens quality, devolution and learners’ futures.
The proposal, issued in an administrative circular, would consolidate the Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education (DECTE) and the Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE) into a single course known as the Diploma in Teacher Education – Pre-Primary and Primary (DTE PP&P).
Governors call for withdrawal of the merger directive
At the National Foundational Learning Conference 2026 in Mombasa, Kericho Governor and CoG Education Committee chairperson Erick Mutai reiterated the governors’ united stance against the merger, arguing that it undermines the specialised nature of ECDE training.
“ECDE is a specialised curriculum and must be treated as such,” he said, warning that merging it with primary teacher education would disrupt existing programmes and disadvantage learners pursuing early childhood courses.
Governors say the ministry’s circular was issued without adequate consultation with county governments, despite ECDE being a devolved function under the Constitution. They have formally written to the ministry asking for the directive to be withdrawn and for broader stakeholder engagement to take place.
Mutai also pointed out that the proposed changes have already affected students enrolled in standalone ECDE programmes, with concerns that government funding for Bachelor of Education (ECDE) students could be jeopardised under the merger model.
Concerns over devolution and education quality
The resistance to the merger is not limited to governors. Members of the Senate of Kenya have also raised alarm over the plan, describing it as an overreach that could undermine foundational learning and disrupt the education system.
During discussions at Bunge Towers, senators emphasised that ECDE falls under county governments and any policy change affecting it must be preceded by public participation, intergovernmental consultation, and careful consideration of constitutional mandates. Several lawmakers warned that the abrupt nature of the directive could create uncertainty for both students and training institutions.
Senate committee members highlighted that ECDE training focuses on specialised skills distinct from primary education, including emotional development, caregiving and early learning methodologies. They cautioned that diluting this training could weaken the foundation of Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) at its earliest and most critical stage.
Professional voices join the chorus
Academics and education professionals have also expressed concern over the merger. A caucus of university lecturers recently petitioned the ministry, arguing that the abrupt termination of stand‑alone ECDE diploma programmes leaves students and institutions in limbo, particularly those who enrolled under the existing system before the directive was issued.
They emphasised that early childhood education requires a tailored pedagogical approach that cannot easily be integrated within broader primary teacher training without compromising quality and effectiveness.
Next steps and legal challenges
In response to the legal action initiated by counties and stakeholders, the High Court previously issued an interim conservatory order temporarily suspending the ministry’s circular pending further court directions — underscoring the extent of concern and the pushback against the merger.
For now, governors, senators and education experts are calling for the directive to be withdrawn and replaced with a comprehensive consultative process that respects devolution, protects the specialised nature of ECDE training, and ensures clear transitional arrangements for students and institutions.
