Bondo residents fault Orengo's Sh25 million ECD project

Dilapidated ECD classrooms at Nyangera Primary School in Yimbo East Ward, Siaya county. [Isaiah Gwengi].

A section of residents have dismissed plans by Siaya Governor James Orengo's administration to construct a Sh25 million Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre in Bondo municipality.

Residents and a section of MCAs said the ECD centre is not their priority project.

The proposal was contained in the county budget for the 2024/2025 Financial Year which has already been approved.

Yimbo East MCA Francis Otiato said most public primary schools have no ECDs and urged the county government to prioritise the construction and equipping of the facilities.

"Constructing one model ECD at a cost of Sh25 million is misplaced when the existing facilities are not equipped while some schools are yet to be considered," said Otiato.

The MCA who was speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Nyangera ECD, said a model ECD would only work in the future.

The county government has so far constructed 700 ECDE centres, with only 340 fully equipped.

The county has 608 ECDE teachers against a requirement of 1,450.

Christine Anyango, a resident of Bondo claimed that constructing a model ECD centre in Bondo sub-county would only benefit a few learners.

"One centre being built at that cost is not only unjustified but it is also consuming money to the disadvantage of other areas that are struggling with infrastructure and learning materials," said Anyango.

However, the executive has defended plans to construct the model ECD.

"The construction of the model ECDE centre will not stop us from building any other ECDE centres in the county," said County Executive for Education Edgar Otumba.

Otumba argued that the project is targeting learners residing within the municipalities.

"It works as an attraction point and a developmental stimulus for growth as has been witnessed in and outside the country," he said.

The Education CEC downplayed claims that most of the wards did not have ECD centres.

"The budgeting process begins at the local levels with public participation and any member of such wards can raise the concerns. Nothing stops the department from allocating funds for consideration," said Otumba, adding that there is no legislation dictating that each primary school must have an ECDE.

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