The County Director of Education in West Pokot County, Simon Wamae, has launched a tree planting exercise at Kapsang’ar Mixed Secondary School in Pokot South Constituency.
The event saw the participation of various government officials, including Mary Krop, the Pokot South Sub County Director of Education.
During the event, Wamae emphasised the importance of environmental conservation and urged the school community to actively participate in tree planting efforts in support of the government’s agenda of planting 15 billion trees by 2032 in order to increase the forest cover in the country.
The director revealed that the launch of the tree planting exercise saw both primary and secondary schools in the region participate in the exercise, as well as the local Chesta Teachers’ College.
He disclosed that during the launch of the tree planting exercise in Kapsang’ar Mixed Secondary School, a total of 2,000 tree seedlings were planted, with a commitment from the Ministry of Education to continue planting more trees.
Wamae stated that students had been educated about the significance of tree planting in line with the President’s directive to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
He expressed gratitude to the school management of Kapsang’ar for establishing their own tree nursery, which ensured the availability of trees for planting.
Additionally, Wamae mentioned that they had successfully motivated the students by highlighting the opportunities provided by the government and their parents to excel in their studies, thus securing a better future in education.
On her part, Krop emphasised the establishment of tree nurseries in schools to support the government’s initiative to increase forest cover nationwide.
She mentioned that there is a specific target for tree planting, which they are diligently working towards achieving.
Additionally, the director highlighted Kapsang’ar Mixed Secondary School as having great potential, encouraging students to prioritise their studies to improve the school’s performance.
Dennis Rotino, the principal of Kapsang’ar Secondary School, expressed his gratitude to the former Form Four students for their initiative in establishing a tree nursery on the school grounds.
‘‘Despite the absence of last year’s Form 4 students, their efforts resulted in the production of 2000 tree seedlings, which have now been planted as part of a tree planting exercise in the county,’’ Rotino explained.
He emphasised the school’s commitment to establishing an indigenous tree nursery this year and, in the future, with the aim of increasing the forest cover on the premises.
Additionally, the principal commended the students for their dedication to their studies, acknowledging their hard work.
‘‘The trees that have been planted on the school grounds have proven beneficial in constructing classrooms and dormitories, as they have reduced the cost of purchasing materials from external sources,’’ Rotino disclosed.
He further went on: “We obtained timber from the school trees and saved on the cost of purchasing them.”
Rotino expressed optimism that the trees planted in the school compound would enhance the school’s aesthetics and provide shade for students to engage in class discussions and further their studies.
Furthermore, he highlighted the role of the planted trees in attracting more rainfall to the region, which is crucial for food production.
Following the launch of trees at Kapsang’ar mixed secondary school, the county director of education made a visit to Chepkalit Primary and Secondary School to conduct an inspection of the school’s development.
This visit was prompted by the recent destruction caused by floods during the heavy rains that hit the region a week ago, affecting the school infrastructure of ELCK Chepkalit mixed secondary school and primary school in Pokot South Constituency.
According to Principal Chesta Jacob of ELCK Chepkalit Mixed Secondary School, on the night of May 9, 2024, heavy rains caused floods that destroyed over 200 water pipes supplying water to the school.
By Anthony Melly and Erickson Kiprotich
