Government Allocates Over Sh1.2 Billion for JSS Classrooms in Western Region
The National Government is set to invest over Sh1.2 billion in the construction of 1,243 classrooms for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) across four counties in the Western region.
This allocation is part of the government’s plan to ensure that Grade Nine students have adequate facilities by the next academic year.
The Regional Director of Education (RDE), Jared Obiero, reported that the counties of Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, and Busia have received a total of Sh1.243 billion for these construction projects.
The construction efforts have been divided into two phases, with the first phase already underway and the second phase scheduled to begin in October.
Obiero indicated that the Schools’ Board of Management (BOM) and Schools’ Infrastructure Committees (SIC) are responsible for overseeing the construction process.
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The government has already transferred the necessary funds to the respective schools’ bank accounts.
According to the Ministry of Education guidelines, these construction projects must be completed within three months from the contract signing date.
Breakdown by County
- Kakamega County: Allocated 506 classrooms, with 81 classrooms currently under construction in phase one and 425 more planned for phase two.
- Vihiga County: Allocated 170 classrooms, with 55 in phase one and 115 to be built in phase two.
- Bungoma County: Allocated 366 classrooms, with 129 under construction in phase one and 239 planned for phase two.
- Busia County: Allocated 201 classrooms, with 50 in phase one and 151 to be built in phase two.
In addition to the main government funding, Obiero mentioned that further classrooms will be built using the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), overseen by Members of the National Assembly (MPs).
“Under phase one, Bungoma is currently undertaking construction of 129 classrooms, with 239 expected to be constructed under phase two, while in Busia 50 classrooms are being done under phase two and 151 classrooms to be constructed in phase two.
In the Western region, NG-CDF is expected to finance the construction of an additional 3,500 classrooms.
Compliance and Monitoring
The Ministry of Education has issued specific guidelines, requiring that infrastructure budgets be approved by the Schools’ BOM. Education officials are closely monitoring the construction to ensure that contractors adhere to the specifications outlined in the Bill of Quantities (BQ).
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According to Education Principal Secretary Dr. Bellio Kipsang, the government aims to complete approximately 16,000 classrooms for Grade Nine by January 2025. Out of these, 9,000 classrooms are being funded by the World Bank at a cost of Sh9 billion.
Government Allocates Over Sh1.2 Billion for JSS Classrooms in Western Region
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