It is a sigh of relief for ECDE pupils at Nyangera primary school in East Yimbo ward, as the county government of Siaya begins construction of a modern ECDE classroom at the school.
The institution, which has been in the spotlight after media reports published in local dailies highlighted the plight of young pupils attending classes in dilapidated buildings, finally got a breakthrough after the county government of Siaya awarded an emergency tender for the construction of a new ECDE block.
According to the school head teacher George Nyamai, the current status of the ECDE classroom has been risky for the children using the facility and has seen parents prefer to take their children to private institutions.
Nyamai disclosed that the community around the school has made numerous requests to the county government during annual budget plans public participation forums to have a new ECDE centre constructed at the school but their proposal has never been considered.
Speaking during a ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the modern ECDE centre at the school, area MCA Francis Otiato blamed the executive for failing to prioritise construction of ECDE facilities in all established primary schools.
“Currently we have 26 primary schools in the ward and only 11 have ECDE centers. This is a failure on the part of the executive since county government is mandated to run ECDE centers and polytechnics which they need to construct and equip,” Otiato said.
He on the other hand faulted the executive for allocation Sh50 million for the construction of two modern model ECDE centres in Bondo and Siaya towns saying focus should be on doing ECDEs in existing schools not standalone facilities in town where very few people will benefit.
“I think there is a lot of confusion on the part of the executive, the budgeted Sh50 million for two model ECDEs is unnecessary if our schools don’t have the facilities. Let the MCAs construct the standalones where the distances between schools are far but the executive should deal with schools,” Otiato stated.
The new facility at Nyangera primary school will include two new modern classrooms equipped with furniture, two door toilets and an office constructed at a cost of Sh4.3 million.
According to Otiato, the construction is expected to take 10 weeks and the facility will be ready for use at the beginning of new term in January 2025.
By Brian Ondeng
