By Andrew Mbuva.
More than 500 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) learners from across Makueni County converged at Kathonzweni on Thursday for the county-level music festivals, marking a major celebration of talent development and holistic learning under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The event was officially opened by Makueni County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for ICT, Education and Internship, Japheth Mang'oka, accompanied by Chief Officer for Education Irene Makau and County ECDE Director. The competitions brought together schools that excelled at ward and sub-county levels and are now vying for a chance to represent Makueni at the regional and national stages.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Mang'oka lauded Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior's administration for allocating resources that enabled the successful organization of the festivals, which have attracted learners, teachers, and parents from across the county.
"We are grateful to His Excellency the Governor for providing funds that have enabled us to bring together all our ECDE schools. The journey started at the ward level, moved to the sub-county level, and today we are at the county level. The best teams will proceed to the regional competitions and eventually the national level," he said.
Mang'oka noted that the festival had revealed immense talent among young learners, with performances ranging from choral verses to presentations by learners with special needs.
"We have witnessed incredible talent among our children. More than 500 learners and over 93 teachers are participating in these competitions. Makueni is not only known for excellence in academics and sports but also for music and the arts," he said.
The education executive praised the collaboration between teachers, education officials, and parents in nurturing children's talents, describing it as a key factor behind the success of the county's ECDE programmes.
He also commended the learners for their discipline, cleanliness, and overall well-being, attributing this to the support systems provided by parents and schools.
The county-level winners will advance to the regional competitions, where they will compete against learners from counties in the wider Eastern Region, including Kitui and Embu.
Mang'oka emphasized the importance of co-curricular activities in the CBC era, saying education should go beyond classroom learning to nurture talents and practical skills.
"Learning through books alone is not enough. Through CBC, we are building the capacities and talents of our children. Some of these learners will become accomplished musicians, content creators, and professionals in various fields. These festivals provide an important platform for them to discover and develop their potential," he said.
He urged parents to identify and support children with talents, particularly in music and the performing arts, to ensure they receive opportunities for growth and exposure.
The CECM also made a passionate appeal to families with children living with disabilities to enroll them in school rather than keeping them at home. He highlighted the county's special needs institutions, Wee and Kakuswi schools, as centers equipped to provide quality education and opportunities similar to those available to other learners.
"I have seen children with special needs perform exceptionally well today. Parents should not hide such children at home. We have facilities where they can learn, grow, and access the same opportunities as other learners," he said.
Meanwhile, Mang'oka revealed that the county government continues to invest heavily in education infrastructure. He announced that 68 ECDE classrooms are nearing completion and will soon be commissioned, while an additional 80 classrooms are planned for construction during the 2026/2027 financial year.
The investments, he said, are aimed at improving learning environments and ensuring that young learners across the county have access to quality education facilities.
The county-level music festivals are expected to culminate in the selection of top-performing groups that will represent Makueni County at the regional competitions in the coming weeks.
