The long wait is finally over for the students and staff at Olare Senior School when they received a new school bus procured through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF).
For almost two decades, students at the school watched their peers from other institutions arrive for interschool’s competitions, educational trips, and co-curricular events in branded school buses, while they relied on hired vehicles to attend similar activities.
The arrival of the new bus now marks a significant milestone for the school, as it is expected to restore academic enthusiasm among the students and ultimately ease its long-standing transport challenges.
Rangwe Member of Parliament (MP), Dr. Lilian Gogo, who handed over the 51-seater bus to the school in Kochia Ward, said the initiative was part of broader efforts to improve learning conditions and facilitate students with the resources needed to pursue opportunities beyond the classroom.
Dr. Gogo said Olare Senior School, formerly Olare Mixed Secondary School, deserved the school bus because of its long history as one of the oldest schools in Kochia Ward.
“I am excited today. My heart is thankful to God because Olare Senior School, being the oldest school in Kochia Ward, deserved something that befits its seniority,” Dr. Gogo said.
She said the bus was the 22nd purchased since she assumed office as Rangwe MP, adding that her target was to provide 37 buses to schools across the constituency.
According to the MP, the buses would enable learners to attend educational tours, sporting events, scientific activities, and other co-curricular programmes without the logistical challenges they previously faced.
She also described the bus as a community asset that could benefit residents beyond the school.
Olare Senior School had earlier on received more than Sh1 million in bursary support, which helped clear fees for most of the learners.
The MP urged parents to take a greater role in ensuring that their children remain in school and complete their education.
“As parents, you should take care of your children and encourage them to go to school. It would make me very happy to see them go to school and succeed,” she said.
The school Chief Principal, Rose Onditi, described the handover as a historic moment for the institution, emphasizing that efforts to acquire a school bus had been ongoing for about two decades.
Onditi said the school had previously struggled to transport students to co-curricular activities, sometimes relying on hired vehicles that could not adequately accommodate the learners.
She said the new bus would improve students’ participation in educational excursions and other co-curricular activities by providing more reliable and accessible transport while contributing to better academic performance.
“This bus is not just a vehicle but a classroom on wheels,” Onditi said, urging students to make good use of the facility and demonstrate their appreciation through improved academic results.
The principal also thanked Dr Gogo for bursary support, noting that the school had received Sh656,000 in 2025 and Sh1.032 million in this current year.
She said the latest allocation had enabled the school to clear fees for all Form Three students, although Form Four learners, particularly boarders, continued to face financial challenges.
Onditi also acknowledged the support of Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, particularly in the construction of a girls’ dormitory at the school, and appealed for similar support for the construction of a dormitory for boys.
By Sitna Omar
