Early learning and Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang now says ECD teachers should be well remunerated.
He said this while making a presentation on Kenya's education architecture, legal and policy framework to the 4th Senate Standing Committee on Education on Monday.
"The work done by ECDE teachers cannot be compared to the other levels of education where they are the first to interact and induct every child to the school life journey," Kipsang said.
The consultative induction retreat was held at Sawela Lodge, Naivasha.
The new grading and salary structure by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission will cut across all job groups of salary range from Sh7,383 to Sh10,803.
In the structure already sent to governors for implementation, teachers at Certificate Level who were in Job Group F would take home Sh7,836 from the current Sh16,890.
Those to bear the greatest brunt of the pay structure are teachers in Job Group H who face a 54 per cent pay cut.
They will earn Sh8,804 from the current Sh18,270.
The changes are contained in a SRC circular dated January 13 addressed to governors in all the 47 counties.
Belio said the ongoing conversation on pay cuts that affects the ECDE teachers is a concern that should be given special attention for this section of employees to get a better pay.
"As you undertake your oversight role, we are asking you to negotiate on behalf of the ECDE teachers of this country with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission so that they can be paid what they deserve," Kipsang said.
The PS told the Senate Committee on Education to ensure ECD teachers are paid well as they play a very critical role at the pre-primary level.
He told the Committee that the country must invest in quality ECDE and protect the interests of teachers.
"According to research providing quality ECDE reduces the cost of education by 15 per cent for a country," Kipsang said.
The Principal Secretary said there is an urgent need for both levels of government to harmonise and come up with one scheme of service for ECDE teachers across the 47 counties.
"If this is done, we shall not have disparities in the salary scale for the ECDE teachers. Where others are on permanent terms of service while the rest on contract basis," he argued.
Kipsang further asked the Senate Committee on Education to ensure more teachers are employed and well paid to boost their morale.
The circular follows a job evaluation conducted by the commission and which is meant to replace the 2018 scheme of service.
