Busia County has constructed 97 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) classrooms under the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), marking a significant step in strengthening early learning infrastructure and expanding access to quality education for young learners.
Governor Paul Otuoma on Friday commissioned one of the newly completed classrooms at Butula Boys Primary School in Butula Sub-County, describing the initiative as a transformative milestone for foundational education across the county.
“This is a significant step in strengthening foundational education for the 47,224 ECDE learners currently enrolled in public centres across Busia. We are determined to ensure that every child begins their academic journey in a safe, comfortable and dignified classroom,” Otuoma said.
Addressing the classroom deficit
While celebrating the milestone, the Governor acknowledged that the county still faces a major classroom shortage. Based on an average class size of 50 learners, Busia requires nearly 1,000 ECDE classrooms to adequately serve all enrolled children.
“If we consider an average of 50 learners per class, we need almost 1,000 classrooms to meet the current demand. With 460 classrooms in place, we are not yet halfway there. That is why we are prioritizing the construction of additional ECDE classrooms,” he explained.
The county government has already factored further expansion into its development plans. Otuoma announced that in the 2025/2026 Financial Year, Busia will construct an additional 67 ECDE classrooms to help narrow the gap.
Investing in early childhood development
Governor Otuoma emphasized the importance of early childhood education in shaping long-term academic and social outcomes. Citing research showing that between 85 and 90 per cent of brain development occurs before the age of six, he stressed the need for quality infrastructure, trained teachers and adequate learning materials.
“Quality classrooms, trained teachers and proper learning materials are key to unlocking the full potential of our children,” he said.
He further highlighted the broader social and economic returns of investing in early childhood development, noting that increased funding in ECDE can lead to lower crime rates, improved employability and stronger local economies.
“Every 10 per cent investment in ECDE yields significant social and economic returns. Education remains the great equalizer, and by expanding ECDE infrastructure, we are ensuring that children in rural villages have the same educational foundation as those in major urban centres,” Otuoma added.
Local leaders applaud initiative
Butula Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner Joseph Ng’eny welcomed the development, underscoring the importance of laying a strong educational foundation early in life.
“The foundation a child receives at the ECDE level greatly influences their future life and development. By investing in children and providing better learning environments, we are building a stronger and more prosperous nation,” Ng’eny said.
The commissioning of the 97 classrooms is expected to ease congestion in ECDE centres across Busia County, particularly in rural and underserved areas, while reinforcing the county’s commitment to equitable and quality education for all learners.
