By Abdullahi Jamaa | Wajir Today
Special needs education officers from Wajir and Mandera have completed a capacity-building programme held in Wajir town, aimed at enhancing the quality of Early Childhood Education (ECE) across the two neighbouring counties.
The initiative, part of a broader effort to professionalize early learning support for children with special needs, seeks to address systemic gaps and empower educators with the requisite skills to deliver learner-centred interventions.
The UK-funded Institutional Strengthening of Policy Implementation to Reduce Educational Disparities in the early years’ education (INSPIRED) programme, is delivered by Education Development Trust (EDT) alongside its partners Wajir Peace and Development Agency (WPDA), and Voice of Peace for All in the Horn of Africa (VOPA)
Twenty four education officers drawn from the County Departments of Education, the Teachers Service Commission’s curriculum support division, and the Department of Quality Assurance and Standards have participated in the latest specialised forum with a particular focus on learners with special needs.
The training forms part of a three-year initiative designed to deliver quality education to 100,000 children across Wajir and Mandera counties. The programme seeks to strengthen the early learning ecosystem by providing technical support to the Government of Kenya, enhancing the professional capacity of educators, and equipping hundreds of early childhood centres with essential teaching and learning materials.
“The project has done massive investment in building the capacity of teachers and education officers who undertake assessment, placement and referral of children with special needs” said Ahmed Madey, Technical Lead at INSPIRED.
“Today we are training education officers from Wajir and Mandera counties, done by specialists from the Ministry of Education. They are targeted as community resources and advocates” Mr. Ahmed added
The two counties record the lowest access to education for children with special needs nationally, with learners grappling with numerous barriers including stigma, insufficient infrastructure and a critical shortage of specialised facilities.
Project INSPIRED now adopts a comprehensive, holistic approach to address the urgent needs of both educators and learners, aiming to harmonise the delivery of quality early childhood education.
To date, the project has supplied teaching and learning materials to 571 centres. 264 in Wajir and 307 in Mandera, significantly enhancing the teaching environment for both educators and learners.
In Mandera County alone, where 379 centres currently serve over 35,618 children, the initiative has led to improvements in the professional capacity of teachers. By inspiring and motivating grassroots educators, the bold initiative is ushering in a transformative approach to early learning delivery.
“Since the inception of the INSPIRED project, we have observed a notable shift in the professionalism and classroom engagement of our teachers,” said Ms Halima Issak Adow, Mandera County Director of Early Childhood Education. “The project is playing a critical role in empowering local educators to adopt more active and child-centred approaches”
The newly empowered and mentored teachers are now igniting a passion for learning among curious young learners, who are thriving with the support of teaching aids provided through the project.
“The project is very supportive. With teaching aid materials available, teachers are involved in active teaching. It helps everyone involved in ECE, the teachers, the learners and even the officers. With this, we expect a lot of positive changes” Ms. Halima notes
Teachers from Wajir and Mandera counties have been trained as instructional coaches, tasked with promoting a new pedagogical approach rooted in play-based, child-centred learning. This methodology aims to create inclusive classroom environments that nurture active engagement.
“Through the project, about 80 teachers were trained so far to coach, mentor and observe teachers” explains Mr. Ahmed
The mentorship and coaching model significantly strengthened the capacity and effectiveness of ECE teachers in both counties, fostering greater professionalism and renewed commitment to their instructional roles.
“Mentoring and coaching of ECE teachers has really helped us a lot. Teachers are now motivated to teach and even incidences of absenteeism from lessons has been reduced” Ms. Halima explains
Wajir County Director of Early Childhood Education Mr. Hassan Abdi Issack described the INPSIRED project as a timely intervention to address gaps that have slowed progress in the education of young learners.
“It came at a good time for us. it gives us an opportunity to improve the provision of ECE in the county. It has really improved both the capacity of teachers and classroom environment” Mr. Hassan says
In Wajir, 264 out of 368 centers have received teaching and learning materials significantly boosting the administration of classroom activities helping both teachers and learners to improve their performances.
“Previously we were lacking materials to support our young learners. But now, with donation of learning and teaching materials, all teachers and learners are comfortable” Mr. Hassan observes
No doubt INSPIRED touched the heart and mind of anyone involved in the improvement of early learning in this part of the country that suffered from low and inadequate investment in the education sector for years.
As teachers and education officers embrace the ongoing reforms transforming ECE in Wajir and Mandera, they are calling on donors, development partners, and well-wishers to sustain the momentum and help turn this promising progress into a lasting solution.
“While we sincerely appreciate the support of donors and partners, there remain key areas that could further enhance the impact of the project,” said Mr Hassan. “We are particularly seeking support in conducting quality assurance assessments for ECE, which is a vital component in ensuring long-term success and sustainability.”
