Schools in Bungoma County are set to benefit from a World Bank (WB) funded project that will culminate in the construction of 46 classrooms, 42 laboratories and improve sanitation in 94 primary schools
Modern classrooms and laboratories are under construction in secondary schools
Speaking at Kipsis High School in Mt Elgon on Wednesday, Bungoma County Education Director Mr. Pius Ng’oma lauded the World Bank and the Ministry of Education for selecting Bungoma to benefit from the project.
So far, nine new classrooms distributed across Kimabole Friends secondary school, Cheptais boys’ high school and Kipsis secondary schools in Mt Elgon were handed over to the respective schools for use.
Kimabole got two classrooms, Cheptais boys one, while Kipsis got six classrooms. The laboratories are at 90 percent completion stage.
Ng’oma noted that many schools in Bungoma were struggling with poor infrastructure to accommodate the huge population occasioned by 100 percent enrolment. “This project is going to tackle classroom shortage in Bungoma schools,” he said.
The Director said that Bungoma has in recent days recorded increased cases of disturbances in at least 30 schools attributing it to incitement from the teachers, parents and the school community.
He called on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to terminate contracts for teachers found fueling strikes in schools.
Ng’oma called on stakeholders to ensure that there is peace in schools for a conducive environment to learning. He said that once the 42 laboratories are completed, performance in science subjects across the county will be greatly enhanced.
Adan Hassan, the contractor said, “We are glad that we have started handing over the classrooms adding that in three weeks’ time, ‘we shall start handing over the laboratories.”
Area County Commissioner Mr. Thomas Sankei thanked the World Bank team for investing in Bungoma saying the move will uplift overall performance in science subjects.
By Bronley Kidari and Roseland Lumwamu
