By Fredrick Odiero
Ogande Girls High School in Homa Bay County has received a major boost after the government dispatched goodies worth millions of shillings to the learning institution.
The Shs 300 million library, research and innovation centre whose construction started in August last year through a collaboration between Ida Odinga Trust and the national government ,will have an ICT hub, a 1000 seater auditorium, a recording studio, a library and other research facilities to support education.
The project is expected to be completed mid next year and will bring together students from different schools across the country.
Dr. Ida Odinga, who presided over the presentation of the equipment said the tools will enable the school kick start its operations to support education and ICT support programmes for students.
She donated 300 new pairs of lockers and chairs for students at the school.
Principal Secretaries Dr. Julius Jwan (Early Learning and Basic Education), Jerome Ochieng’ (ICT) and Francis Owino (Fisheries), Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and his Rangwe counterpart Lilian Gogo were present at the event.
The ministry of ICT gave the school 30 laptops to enhance knowledge on ICT and innovation in the centre.
Ochieng’ said the government has made plans to install fiber optic cables at the centre and the school for fast speed internet and for online libraries.
The internet will provide students in universities with relevant skills on emerging job markets by equipping learners with ICT skills which will make them relevant in job hunting.
The PS told students to take advantage of emerging jobs markets which he said require basic ICT training and that the innovation centre at Ogande will become a center of excellence to provide the platform to support ICT and online jobs.
Mr. Owino announced the government’s plans to start pond fish farming at the school to support food security and to encourage agricultural skills among students.
Dr. Jwan said the government is committed to ensuring there is 100 per cent transition.
Mr. Kaluma and Dr. Gogo saying the projects will transform lives of children in future.
