As schools reopen this week, many secondary Schools in Thika are grappling with the influx of students with the principals calling on the government to increase capitation for construction of new classrooms.
Most public schools have resorted to converting makeshift tents, dining halls, and other semi-permanent structures into classrooms in readiness for Form One students who are expected to start streaming in from next Monday.
While lauding the support they have so far received from the government including the Sh32 billion capitation fees that were released this week according to the Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, the principals feel overwhelmed as their facilities are overstretched as they try to ensure to meet the 100 percent transition government policy.
From the capitation, Sh 12 billion is slated for the construction of new classrooms.
The most affected schools are Chania Boys High School and Chania Girls High School which are struggling to accommodate almost 2000 students, each.
Chania Boys High School Principal James Gitau says they will continue learning in tents as they expect over 500 new Form One Students next week and the number is expected to swell. His school has a population of about 1500 learners currently.
However, Gitau applauded the good gesture by the government and the area MP Alice Ng’ang’a through the NG/CDF, in which she has pumped in over Sh4 million for the construction of administration block and library as a well-wisher has volunteered to construct for them 3 semi-permanent structures.
“The situation is dire. While we appreciate the government’s efforts in supporting infrastructure development in our school, there are still gaps. The population is huge and we are now being forced to construct semi-permanent structures and convert them into classrooms,” said Mr Gitau.
At Chania Girls High School, more tents have been erected to cope with the increasing number of students.
The Principal Mary Mwangi says the school has a population of 1550 Students and expects more than 500 to join in next week.
“Thika NG/CDF has promised to build three class additional classrooms and we are in the process of constructing a 160 capacity dormitory. This will ease the accommodation pressures that we are currently facing, “Ms Mwangi said.
At Thika Boys High school and Thika Girls Karibaribi, which have almost the same number of students, the situation is almost the same.
Julius Muraya (Thika High School) and Faith Wawira of Thika Karibaribi Girls want the government to establish more schools in the area to reduce the pressures on the available ones.
“This area has few schools and given its huge population and the government’s policy of 100 per cent transition, the available ones are getting overwhelmed. If only more schools can be constructed, it would ease the pressures,” said Mr Muraya.,
And despite the infrastructural challenges, the principals said their students against all odds managed to excel in last year’s KCSE exams with several scoring straight As.
By Muoki Charles
