The Mpesa Foundation has carried out renovations at Kanyamfwa Primary School in Rachuonyo North in a bid to improve education standards in the area.
The Mpesa Foundation Trustee, Michael Joseph, expressed confidence that the performance of the school will improve following the improvement of the infrastructure.
Kanyamfwa Primary, which was established in 1922, had leaking roofs and dilapidated floors.
School head teacher Stephen Obel said the school also did not have enough toilets, thus posing health hazards.
The school has few toilets and no fence, but the Mpesa Foundation has intervened to improve the situation,” he said.
Community members led by newspaper columnist Jaindi Kisero are among those who were concerned about the condition of the school and had to seek help to improve it.
We thought of reaching out to politicians, but we were not sure if they could assist, so we opted to approach the Mpesa Foundation for assistance,” he said.
Kisero said they made a proposal to the Mpesa Foundation, which responded positively.
Michael Joseph, accompanied by Homa Bay County Executive Member for Education Martin Opere, handed over the project to the school management Thursday.
Mr. Joseph said his organisation had made a commitment to improve the learning conditions of schools in Kenya.
We made a decision to spend money on education and health. There are many schools that have dilapidated infrastructure and we need to improve them,” he said.
He said education was a priority in their projects because it was a key driver of economic development.
At Kanyamfwa Primary School, the foundation renovated and equipped the school with twelve classrooms, including refurbishment of two Early Childhood Education classrooms.
The foundation also furnished an administration block, equipped the school kitchen and constructed an ablution block for learners.
Mr Opere said the project is in line with county government’s plans to construct six early childhood education classrooms per ward.
He said the last county government regime led by Cyprian Awiti had allocated funds to construct one classroom per ward, which was not sufficient for the growing population, noting that current Governor Gladys Wanga increased budgetary allocation for education, therefore the county government will be able to increase the number of classrooms in every ward.
Mr Obel said the renovated classrooms will motivate both the teachers and learners, observing the improved infrastructure would also help curb the spread of hygiene-related diseases in the institution.
Studying in dusty classrooms promoted the spread of respiratory infections and jigger infestations,” the head teacher said.
By Davis Langat
