The Rotary Club Busia in partnership with Oxford University Press East Africa Ltd, has donated over 14,000 textbooks to 16 primary and secondary schools in Busia County.
Among the schools that benefited from the distribution were Siwongo Primary School with 1000 books, Esirisia Secondary School with 1500 books, Budokomi Secondary school 1500, St Paul’s Amukura high school with 1000 books, and St Jacobs Kaliwa secondary school with 1500 books, among other schools.
The outgoing President of the Rotary Club of Busia, Ms.Shilla Bochaberi, said the selection of the school was based on the need for the state of the existing library.
“The selection criteria focused on schools without libraries, those with poorly equipped libraries, and those with title deeds. Our aim was to ensure that the most deserving schools benefit from these essential learning tools,” she said.
Bochaberi added that the initiative aimed at ensuring the learners in schools in the county receive support for learning material.
“We all understand that the education system in our country is experiencing a lot of challenges. Coming up with such an initiative is just a way of ensuring that our children have a chance of accessing learning materials while in school.
She reiterated the need to empower learners with knowledge that can help them to become better people in future.
“They are the future generation, that means whatever they get today will shape what they will be tomorrow and if we put more concern in their education, we will be creating a bright future for them.
The club President Nominee Sarah Martha reiterated Bochaberi’s sentiments, emphasising the club’s dedication to supporting education and transforming communities through impactful initiatives.
“This initiative will go a long way in our county to ensure that students are able to access knowledge and resources which will impact their academics,” she said
She indicated that they have identified other needs in schools they have visited, adding that they will be considering supporting other areas too.
“We have seen the smile the books have brought to the faces of our learners. During the exercise, we have identified other needs like scholastic needs and we are going to help them and walk with them on this journey so that together as a team we can impact the future of our children,” she said.
Teachers led Judith Shile, a teacher at Esirisia secondary school acknowledged the challenge of textbook shortages, adding that the distribution of this textbook will help both teachers and students.
“These books will help our students in revision and even teachers. We have been experiencing a challenge when you want to give work in class due to limited textbooks; it has been a real challenge for teachers delivering to students. We are hopeful that the books are going to add value to the performance of our students and for sure our results will be better,” she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by her colleague Abraham Wabwoba, who called on other well-wishers to come out and support the schools to get the required materials.
This initiative will enhance the learning culture. I have seen life skill books which I know will help in nurturing our learners towards character development. This will make our learners exit the school while they have been well shaped academically and in their character,” he said.
Students led by Joyce Egesa from Esirisia secondary school lauded the initiative, adding that it will help them to improve in their performances.
“We are happy for this opportunity of getting a textbook which will help us in our revision. We are going to study well and I can assure you that our performance will change because we now have revision material that we have been lacking,” she said
By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi
