The ever-increasing population of pupils in schools due to free basic education and 100% transition to secondary schools, besides domiciling of junior secondary schools in primary schools’ compounds has piled up pressure on the need for expanded infrastructure.
In order to ensure effective learning and respond to changing needs for education delivery, and provision of safe and conducive learning environments, the Ministry of Education and leaders through the National Government Constituency Development Fund-(NG-CDF) have been investing in building classrooms and other amenities in institutions of learning to at least achieve the minimum required standard.
In one such project, Kiandieri Primary and Junior Secondary school in Kirinyaga Central sub-county benefited with 10 ablution blocks for pupils and 6 for teachers, all connected to a septic tank. The facilities, which have been a challenge to the school over the years, will serve 400 learners and staff.
The schools have been using old pit latrines that were a risk to the safety of the young learners as they had started sinking.
Area MP Joseph Gitari said there was a lack of oversight in the past because despite the sinking toilets risk having been reported, nothing had been done. He said he committed to having the block built within the financial year 2022/23. He also commended the contractor for delivering the projects on time.
“I think there was a lack of oversight because the state of latrines in this school ended up in social media and attracted the attention of the deputy president. The toilets were sinking and we had to avail funds for renovation and construction of modern ones. The contractor took up the challenge and here we are today,” he said
Speaking when he handed over the facility Saturday, the legislator further promised to fund the school greening program as part of the 15 billion national tree target and promised that in subsequent years, more NG-CDF funds will be directed to schools for amenities and bursary.
“We shall be allocating more funds towards such important facilities in our schools and bursaries. To achieve the 15 billion targets of trees by the president we have asked teachers to provide spaces where we will support them to plant trees,” he added
Kiandieri head teacher Jacinta Nyambura said the facility is a facelift to the institution as it has been a challenge not only to staff and pupils but also at times of hosting visitors. She said sometimes teachers could queue to use the single toilet meant for the entire staff.
She thanked the CDF board for prioritizing the project and urged parents to support the school in all ways possible. Nyambura noted the lack of enough latrines almost denied the school opportunity to host junior secondary school.
“Hosting visitors in our school has posed a shame of the lack of toilets. If teachers were queuing like students, what would guests do? I thank the CDF priority they gave to us and I call on all parents to support us where necessary,”
“We had a challenge getting registration to host the JSS because of the ablution blocks which did not meet the standards,” Ms. Nyambura added.
By Mutai Kipngetich
