The National Government has so far distributed 12,000 masks to needy pupils and students from Githunguri Sub-County of Kiambu County.
Deputy county commissioner Mrs Rose Chege speaking to KNA Friday clarified that the masks were strictly meant for learners from needy family backgrounds so that they are cushioned against infection of coronavirus following the schools reopening after a break of 9 months.
“Not all learners will benefit from the donation of the masks since there are those who are needy in various schools that cannot afford to buy them and wear them while in school on a daily basis” she stated.
“On the provision of the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) desks the Administrator mentioned that they had met the target 1050 desks to Primary schools and 920 to secondary schools across the 19 schools in the sub-county.
Despite the supply of the desks, she said some of the schools were still experiencing a shortage that needed to be addressed. Among the beneficiaries are Ikinu, Matuguta, Mirii primary schools and William Ng’iru secondary school that were badly affected by the shortage following the larger population of the pupils and students in the respective schools.
The DCC however regretted that some learners had not yet reported back to their schools since schools were re-opened on January 4th owing to some reasons like relocation of their parents and guardians who relocated to their rural homes after they lost their livelihoods to Covid-19 pandemic.
She further revealed that some girls had been impregnated during the unplanned holiday and that they feared to report to their schools for fear of victimization from their fellow students and the neighboring community.
Ms Chege further advised those who were candidates to continue revising from their homes so that they could perform well when they sat for their certificate of secondary education. She further impressed on the parents of the affected learners to encourage them to study at home while also supporting them to excel in their national examinations.
On the parents who hid their children and protected them from returning to schools for whatever reasons, she warned that stern action could be taken against them soon as the report will be made to the administration of the sub-county.
In coordination with the police, community policing leadership and the deputy county commissioner’s officer, Ms Chege observed that they had made inroads on those who had ventured in bodaboda and other businesses and ignored to obey the government directive of all children returning to school saying education was the best foundation that parents would give to their children.
On the spate of schools that were being razed down, she cited a single attempt of a boy who was found in possession of paraffin at Miiri secondary school on 20th January 2021 and arrested by the school administration.
“He was arraigned at the Githunguri law court, charged with the offence and released on 300,000 shilling bond after he pleaded not guilty to attempted arson and the case is pending before court” she said.
By Lydia Shiloya and Ann Kariuki
