Invest In School Projects, Politicians Urged
Lack of school infrastructure has been regarded as a major impediment to education in Butula Sub County in Busia County, resulting in outbreaks of waterborne diseases among the population, causing the majority to languish in poverty.
According to residents, a lack of secondary schools, classroom headaches, clean water sources within the Sub-localities, County’s, and limited agricultural incentives are among the pressing issues that residents want their leaders to address following the upcoming General Elections.
During an engagement with various political candidates for the upcoming general election at Esibembe Primary School, they cited the large gap between primary and secondary school as a major impediment to achieving 100 percent transition in the sub-county.
“We only have 29 secondary schools within this sub-county against 74 primary schools that graduate a high number of KCPE candidates. We appeal to leaders to address this issue,” said Bernard Okumu, a resident of Butula.
The majority of students are forced to walk long distances to secondary school in neighboring counties of Siaya and Kakamega.
In accordance with the National government policy of equal opportunity for all children to access education, Okumu identified insufficient classrooms as a major challenge, given the high number of students enrolled each year.
Mildred Narocho, another resident, expressed concern about the area’s water shortage, urging incoming leaders, beginning with the area MP, to provide solar panels for pumping water, particularly during dry seasons, to ensure that every home and school have access to the adequate water supply.
“Sometimes after coming from school, our children waste a lot of time traveling long distances looking for water that they will use at school the following day,” lamented Narocho.
David Wanga, an Independent Parliamentary candidate in the Butula constituency, has acknowledged residents’ concerns and promised to ensure that the Constituency Development Fund is fully funded.
The residents’ concerns have been acknowledged by David Wanga, a Parliamentary aspirant on the Independent ticket in the Butula constituency, who has promised that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) would address the primary and secondary gap, among other issues.
Addressing constituents on the campaign trail, the MP hopeful bemoaned the state of affairs in the constituency.
“Education is the eye-opener for any developing society. I will use my position if elected to address the nightmare in the education sectors, ranging from poor structures, shortage of teachers, and school fees to vulnerable students in Butuala constituency,” Wanga said, adding that CDF projects would only benefit residents in the constituency.
The aspiring MP promised to take the lead in advocating for his constituents’ interests while overseeing the implementation of national government policies at the local level.
“I will partner with the county government to ensure that they serve my constituency residents satisfactorily,” added Wanga.
He committed to organizing a joint stakeholder conference with the Ministry of Education within the Sub-county to discuss sector challenges and find mutually beneficial solutions.
Concerned residents complained that bursary forms were distributed in a discriminatory manner, denying deserving children access to education. Because poverty is so prevalent in the Butula sub-county, many families are unable to adequately fund their children’s education.
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They also urged politicians to prioritize road construction and maintenance to facilitate movement within the sub-county, insisting that road development should be included in their manifesto because the National government has a budgetary allocation for roads.
She also urged aspiring politicians to provide them with fertilizers and high-breed seeds to increase their chances of higher yield, saying that it would help them become self-sufficient rather than relying on handouts from politicians.
Invest In School Projects, Politicians Urged
