The Senate has drawn a line in the sand, demanding the immediate withdrawal of a controversial Ministry of Education directive that effectively abolishes specialized training for Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers.

This clash is more than a policy dispute; it is a battle for the soul of devolution. The directive, issued by Principal Secretary Julius Bitok on January 19, 2026, seeks to merge the Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education (DECTE) with the Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE). Senators argue that this move is a blatant encroachment on county government functions, as pre-primary education is fully devolved under the Constitution.

The Threat to Specialized Learning

Education experts have joined the Senate in condemning the move, warning that it dilutes the quality of foundation-stage learning. ECDE requires a unique set of pedagogical skills distinct from primary education. By lumping the two together, the Ministry risks producing "jack of all trades" teachers who lack the specialized nuance required to handle children between the ages of four and five. The Senate Committee on Education termed the circular "draconian" and "retrogressive," noting that it ignores the strides made in professionalizing early childhood care.

For the thousands of students currently enrolled in ECDE diploma colleges, the directive has created a climate of panic and uncertainty. Many fear their qualifications will be rendered obsolete before they even graduate. The colleges themselves face an existential crisis, with their specialized curriculum now on the chopping block. The Senators have accused the Ministry of making unilateral decisions in Nairobi without consulting the Council of Governors or the stakeholders on the ground.

• Devolution Under Siege: This is the latest in a series of moves by the national government to claw back devolved functions. Senators view the defense of ECDE independence as a litmus test for the protection of devolution.
• Financial Fallout: The merger threatens to disrupt the employment structures in counties, which have invested billions in hiring and training ECDE teachers based on the current scheme of service.

A Looming Legal Showdown

The Senate has given the Ministry a strict ultimatum: revoke the circular or face legal action. The lawmakers argue that the Principal Secretary acted ultra vires—beyond his legal power—by altering the structure of a devolved function. They have threatened to summon the Cabinet Secretary to answer for the "confusion and anxiety" caused by the directive.

If the Ministry digs in, the matter will likely end up in court, further delaying the standardization of teacher training. But for the parents and children of Kenya, the stakes are immediate. The foundation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) rests on a strong pre-primary base. Weakening that base by generalizing teacher training is, in the eyes of the Senate, an act of self-sabotage.

The message from the Senate floor was clear: The Ministry must stay in its lane. ECDE belongs to the counties, and the distinct identity of its teachers must be protected at all costs.