Crisis looms in Nyamira as several schools not ready for Grade 9 learners ahead of reopening

Education is meant to be the great equalizer, but as the country prepares for the transition of pioneer Junior Secondary School (JSS) learners to Grade 9, a stark reality emerges.

Even as the Ministry of Education exudes confidence that all is set for Monday's re-opening of schools, in Nyamira County and other remote areas, hundreds of learners will face a rude awakening as they report to find no classrooms ready to accommodate them.

A former Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) classroom for pupils at Omobiro Primary School in North Mugirango, for instance, is next week expected to host 42 Grade 9 learners.

While the Ministry of Education claims to have built 98 per cent of the Grade 9 classes, Omobiro Primary will have to make do with what’s available as the decrepit structure has been abandoned.

Board Chairman Evans Okioga said: “Tunaona our government ikiahidi kwamba wamepeana pesa ya kujenga mashule kote nchini, lakini shule yetu hatujapata chochote, hakuna pesa imeingia kwa accounts zetu…sasa tunashangaa tuko Kenya gani.”

The 42 pioneer CBC learners from this school will face a harsh reality next week, that of returning to a structure that once hosted their younger siblings, shattering their expectation and hope that every higher grade would mean improved learning conditions.

“Tumejipanga hivi ili tuone nasi wiki ijayo tutafanya namna gani…sasa hii darasa tumepanga ili hawa wanafunzi wale waingie ndani, nayo darasa kwa kweli imerundikana vitu ndani kama kuni mabati na vitu zingine,” added Okioga.

In West Mugirango Constituency, in the same county, the cry is similar. Despite the government allaying fears from parents that all is set for the transition, Masosa Primary School is in a dilemma on where more than 120 Grade 9 learners will be hosted come next week.

Board Chair Lucy Mwangi stated: “Bado hatujapewa kitu chochote sasa tunashangaa hawa watoto wakikuja tutawaweka wapi?”

According to the board chairlady, their plans to construct two classrooms hit a snag after the government failed to disburse the required funds, this is despite the school advertising and awarding the tender to a contractor who insisted on a deposit before commencing the work.

“Tuko na challenge juu kuna shule zingine zimekuwa funded lakini sisi hatujaona kitu,” noted Ms. Mwangi.

At Egesieri Primary, Citizen TV found an advertisement dated December 30th, inviting bidders for the construction of Grade 9 classroom; just days to the re-opening of schools.

A number of schools in the remote areas are grappling with different challenges including lack of enough teachers, while their counterparts from Moi Forces Academy and Midas Academy from Machakos were at the Gravity CBC Resource Centre for retooling ahead of school opening.

Moi Forces Academy Boar Chair Vitalis Oyoo said: “A well-equipped human resource will always propel the country into greater heights and that is what informs a decision to constantly bring our parents, teachers together then we get to know what is expected of us.”