Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) teachers are undertaking a four- day training on Kenya schools readiness assessment tool (KSRAT) training. KSRAT is targeting to train 100 teachers in Lodwar and Kakuma, including 25 refugee teachers.

The training is supported by the Directorate of Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) in partnership with UNICEF-KENYA aimed at training and providing capacity building and system strengthening to ECDE teachers in Turkana County.

The assessment tool aims at ascertaining the learners ability /potential/competency purposely to bring out the strengths and notable weak areas that need assistance  so as to guide on early interventions and to improve performance as early as possible.

KSRAT is a standardised tool that will be used as a common assessment  tool country wide. Its Effecient application that will facilitate  smooth transition from one academic level to the next.

“Readiness and embracing schooling has been an issue of concern in schools especially during transition of learners from pre-schools and therefore this training will be very useful in salvaging the situation on the ground”, said the County Chief Officer Janerose Tioko during the opening remarks at the training.

Fariza Baidaly, the UNICEF representative, thanked the participants for turning in good numbers to receive the knowledge that will help in transitioning the learners smoothly.

After the training, a KSRAT implementation at ecdes centres will be done through a practical assessment on the teachers, whereas a stakeholders dissemination workshop will be undertaken later on the same day.

Present at the meeting were Samuel Eregae (Director ECDE), Sub-County Education officers ,Ward coordinators, Alice Akiru (ECDE Administrator),Melane Lopeyok (ECDE welfare officer).

From the partner side : Serah Musengya (UNICEF ),Rose Akuka (KICD ECDE section),Agnes Kuria (Quality Assurance MOE),Elizabeth Oradea among others.