By Atieno Otieno
In a groundbreaking development, the Homa Bay County government has successfully constructed 163 new early childhood education (EYE) classrooms in just 90 days as part of the ambitious Ondoa Kaunda project.
The initiative, aimed at revamping the outdated and dilapidated EYE infrastructure, is a key component of Governor Gladys Wanga’s efforts to provide quality education to all children in the county.
The newly built classrooms, equipped with modern facilities, are set to provide a conducive learning environment for young learners, setting the stage for their academic success. Governor Wanga has emphasized the importance of early childhood education in shaping children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure to support their growth.
The Ondoa Kaunda project, which utilizes a labour-based model, has not only generated employment opportunities for local residents but has also fostered community participation and ownership in the development of the schools. By involving the local community in the construction process, the county government is ensuring that the project has a lasting impact on the schools and the surrounding areas.
“We initiated the labour-based system of ONDOA KAUNDA classrooms on 10th July 2024 at God Ndonyo in Kibiri Ward. Today, 90 days since we started the initiative, we have built a total of 163 classrooms. That’s 4 classrooms per ward at a cost of 163 million with no pending bills. ” H.E Gladys Wanga. “We devote to adhere to the UNESCO threshold ratio of 2 teachers to 35 learners by employing additional EYE Teachers.” She said.
With a total of 240 new classrooms already completed and plans for an additional 200 in the coming financial year, the Ondoa Kaunda project is set to transform the education landscape in Homa Bay County. By prioritizing early childhood education and investing in infrastructure, the county is laying a solid foundation for the future generation, creating a more educated and empowered populace.
“We endeavour to implement the labour-based policy not only for the construction of EYE centres but also in other development initiatives like construction of fish bandas.” Added H E Wanga while speaking on radio Ramogi.
The success of the Ondoa Kaunda project serves as a testament to the power of focused government initiatives in driving positive change at the grassroots level. As Homa Bay County continues to invest in the education sector, the impact will be felt not only in academic achievement but also in the overall socio-economic development of the region.
