As the Government ponders on the way forward on re-opening of schools, a primary school in Kiambu County is constructing a dining hall to usher in boarding life in readiness to the long awaited day.
Located in Ngegu area of Ndumberi location, Riara primary school which has been a day mixed school for boys and girls is being given a face lift to offer boarding facility and do away with the agony of learners walking to and from school.
A dormitory which was constructed by the NG-CDF earlier had remained unutilized since other infrastructure like adequate toilets with a bigger septic tank and dining hall were not in place.
The move is intended to provide the pupils with ample time to concentrate on their studies and possibly recover the time lost since the premature closure of schools in March 2020.
Reverend Harrison Gachanja the head teacher of the school while talking to KNA from the school today promised the pupils that all was not lost as the school administration was putting up condusive infrastructure which will enable them to board when the schools reopen.
He says “from the look of things, everything to enable the borders to operate from the school will be set by December 2020.It is therefore in order to state that boarding will resume in January 2021”said Reverend Gachanja.
He revealed that the school had received 1 million shillings which it was spending on renovating 3 existing classrooms as well as putting up a dining hall.
Reverend Gachanja said the construction of the dormitory was agreed upon at a school infrastructure meeting which was held at the school in May 2018 after which they were given the money in the 2018/2019 Financial year.
During the final meeting which was held a fortnight ago, the stakeholders felt that it was time to embark on the construction of the dining hall which will be used by the young learners when they start boarding at the school.
Recently, Kiambu Member of Parliament Mr.Jude Njomo presided over the installation of piped water at the primary school. During the function, the MP noted that the school population had suffered a lot while operating without a reliable source of the precious commodity which will now be history.
The water was installed from Kanunga water project and will adequately serve the 450 pupils whose performance is envisaged to improve.
Kiambu sub-county director for Education Mrs.Roselyne Litaba talking to KNA from the school today lauded the headteacher and the board of management for being focused in order to provide a condusive environment for the pupils who were eager to pursue their academics.
By Lydia Shiloya
