Busia Women Representative Catherine Omanyo has initiated a water project in the county to ensure that at least 50 schools have a clean and adequate supply of the commodity to enable learners to concentrate on their academics.
Speaking at Khulwanda Primary School in Nambale Subcounty, Omanyo noted that her administration targets schools which have had water problems ever since memorial.
“Water challenges have been a barrier to the well-being of children and families in this area. This is why access to clean and safe water is a priority under my leadership. Water is a precursor to development as it allows communities to prosper and thrive as a result of good health and opportunities for economic growth,” said Omanyo.
According to the legislator, the selected schools in Busia will benefit from borehole projects by gaining access to clean, reliable water for drinking, handwashing, cooking, and cleaning, which leads to improved hygiene, better attendance rates, reduced time spent fetching water, and ultimately, enhanced learning outcomes for students; this is especially crucial in rural areas where water scarcity is common.
The school Head Teacher, Fredrick Juma, joined teachers and parents to welcome the project, noting that it will save on time wasted by learners in search of water besides mitigating waterborne diseases, which are common in the flood-prone areas.
“Access to clean water will enhance the learning environment and give learners ample time to focus on their academics as opposed to hawking for water,” Juma noted.
“One borehole normally serves up to 500 households in the village, and there is always a long line; by the time one fetches water, it’s almost midday. These pupils of ours are forced to come to school late and miss out on lessons,” he added.
The intervention comes just a month after President William Ruto, while on a development tour in Busia, launched two water projects at Alupe in Teso South and Budalangi at a tune of 4 billion.
By Absalom Namwalo