The Government has set aside Sh159, 176,000 for the construction of 202 classrooms towards implementing the Competency Based Curriculum in Busia County.
Speaking during a stakeholder sensitization forum in Lwanya Girls High School, Busia County Commissioner John Korir said that the projects would be implemented in 141 secondary schools across the County.
‘This translates to 90% of the schools in the county,” he said adding that this would cost around Sh160 million.
Korir disclosed that the tendering process is ongoing and was expected to be complete in two weeks’ time.
“By the end of November, we shall have given out all the contracts to those who shall have won,” he said, adding that his team expects to roll out the exercise in December with the completion date being April 2022.
He further said that the exercise would target local contractors at Sub County level who were expected to abide by the regulations and acts. “We intend to spread out evenly so that the programme benefits as many local residents as possible,” he said.
The official further explained that the end product is to boost the local economy adding that all the beneficiaries were expected to come from the seven sub counties.
“The applicants must be qualified and ready to render quality services as expected,” he said, adding that the money would be paid through M-pesa after completion of work.
Korir disclosed that the classrooms would be built in secondary schools so that they could accommodate pupils from adjacent primary schools in respective areas.
He clarified that contractors should be ready to undertake the initial process of construction instead of waiting for down payment.
Busia County Director of Education Thaddeus Awuor said the project would increase the access of learners from Primary to Junior Secondary in the identified schools. “Right now Busia has 161 Secondary schools and 90% of the schools are going to benefit from this project,” he said.
Awuor exuded confidence that the exercise would be completed within the stipulated time and advised the local community to embrace the Competency Based Curriculum.
The forum brought together the Sub County Directors of Education, Deputy County Commissioners from the Seven Sub Counties, the County Chain and Supplies Officer and County Director of Public Works.
By Salome Alwanda
