Residents of Bar Kowino, North Sakwa Ward in Bondo Sub-County were honored to witness the groundbreaking ceremony of a model Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) Centre.
The event president over by Governor James Orengo marked a significant milestone in educational development in Siaya County. This initiative is part of the Nyalore Administration's broader vision to establish a modern, comprehensive learning complex in each of the county's six sub-counties, with Bondo and Gem being the first beneficiaries in the Financial Year 2024/2025.
The model ECDE Centre costing 25M will not only be a first for Siaya County but will set a benchmark for early education. It will include classrooms for PP1, PP2, a playgroup, an office, a lactation room, a digital library, a resource center, a kitchen, dining areas, a meeting hall, indoor and outdoor play areas, and specialized learning spaces for children with special needs. This establishment aims to provide a holistic environment where children can thrive both academically and socially.
This ambitious project aims to provide children with a solid foundation in literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking through play-based learning, fostering improved social skills, emotional intelligence, physical growth, creative expression, and cognitive stimulation. The anticipated benefits of these centers are manifold. They include enhancing children's ability to develop teamwork, communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills. The setup also supports the professional growth of instructors by keeping them abreast of contemporary teaching methods and child development research through digital learning resources.
The model ECDE centers are also envisioned as a platform for professional growth for instructors, leveraging digital learning to keep pace with the latest in educational methodologies and child development research. This initiative not only aims to transform the educational landscape of Siaya County but also to cultivate a generation well-equipped for future challenges.
The Governor was accompanied by County Secretary Mr. Joseph Ogutu, CECMs Dr. Edgar Otumba (Education, Youth Affairs, Gender, and Social Services) and Mr. Maurice Otieno Mc'Orege (Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development), Bondo Sub County Administrator Mr. Vincent Kanyang'onda, Bondo Municipality Manager Mr. Philip Mbindyo Wasonga, MCAs led by the host Hon. Oliver Arika (North Sakwa Ward), Hon. Eunice Ndolo (South Sakwa Ward), Hon. Truphosa Osewe Odinga (West Sakwa Ward), Hon. Edwin Martin Otieno (Ugunja Ward), Hon. Andericus Oduor Odongo (West Ugenya Ward), and MCA Hon. Francis Otiato (Yimbo East Ward) among other County Government Officials.