The Kisumu county government hosted an Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) Creative Activities Festival, bringing together young learners, teachers and education stakeholders to showcase talent and promote learning through music, drama, art and other creative activities.
The event, held at Mama Grace Onyango Social Hall, formed part of the county’s efforts to strengthen early childhood education by integrating creative arts into classroom learning and nurturing children’s social and emotional development.
County Executive Committee Member for Education, Technical Training, Innovation and Social Services John Awiti said the festival was more than a competition, describing it as a celebration of children’s foundational development.
“The development of a child comes first before we talk of education. We are laying the foundation, and that foundation begins with character building at the earliest stage, “Awiti said.
He noted that the county was committed to creating an environment where every child has an opportunity to express themselves and develop their talents through creative activities.
He said Kisumu had taken a leading role in promoting creative learning at the ECDE level, adding that the programme had reached a level not yet achieved by many other counties.
Awiti also cited the county government’s continued investment in early childhood education, saying 120 ECDE teachers were recruited last month and that plans were underway to seek approval for additional recruitment to improve teacher-to-learner ratios.
Chief Officer for Education, Technical Training, Innovation and Social Services Bovine Ochieng said the county was committed to creating an environment where every child has an opportunity to express themselves and develop their talents through creative activities.
Ochieng said county level festival marked the culmination of competitions held at ward and sub-county levels, bringing together the top performers from across Kisumu.
He said the initiative was aimed at identifying and nurturing talent during children’s formative years while promoting creativity, culture and values alongside academic learning.
Ochieng said investments in early childhood education would help develop future leaders, innovators and professionals, and called on parents, development partners and other stakeholders to work closely with the county government to strengthen foundational education.
The festival featured performances and exhibitions by ECDE learners from across the county, highlighting the role of creative arts in supporting holistic child development.
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