Community around Nchaure in North Imenti Sub-county, Meru County, is excited as learners at Nchaure Primary School embark on a new academic year.
For about five decades, many parents in the community preferred enrolling their children in other schools.
Not only because of the dilapidated structures that served as classrooms and sanitary facilities, but lack of adequate support for its development.
But that is changing now as after decades of frustrations, the young learners can now look forward to a new, exciting academic era that the community has welcomed.
In place of the mud-walled and old stone classrooms, a new school block complete with modern sanitation facilities now stand.
Newly painted but yet to be equipped, the spacious, well-ventilated new classrooms are a far departure to the weather-beaten iron-roofed classrooms that had suffered the vagaries of the elements for as long as the locals can remember.
Dr Patrick Bucha, formerly the State Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary who is now in the State Department of Tourism in the same capacity, attended the school in the 70s and like others, is excited because of the opportunity the new school offers to learners and community.
“Every child deserves to be in a school that offers a conducive environment for learning and development. The former buildings had really deteriorated. When I schooled here in 70s and 80s we did not have good classes,” said Dr Bucha, the patron of the school’s Board of Management.
Modern school
The State Department of Housing has spent over KSh25 million so far in the construction of the modern school, with the learners and teachers expected to move from the old to the new block in coming weeks.
“I decided to initiate this project through the department. It is a very beautiful school. The purpose of doing this is to be able to make our students have good learning infrastructure, to be able to learn,” Dr Bucha said, flanked by locals, teachers and local administrators.
Bucha said with the children now accommodated in learner-friendly facilities they expect a drastic improvement in performance and the enrolment rate to shoot up from the current one which stands at below 200 leaners.
Bucha said once the learners and teachers move from the old facilities; they will have room for more development in the school environment, including the recreation grounds.
“I thank the Ministry for what they have done,” he said, adding that the community’s dream for a new modern school for their school had ‘finally come true’.
He said the JSS learners will soon move into their new school and the rest follow later once the building is completed.
administration block
“This is a modern school, with good classrooms, sanitation spaces, administration block and others that the old school did not have. The toilets were dilapidated and some collapsed. We have the sanitation block and a modern technology biodigester of disposing the waste,” he said.
Ndumba Kamundi, the BoM chairman, said the idea of a modern school was mooted in 2018 and they were happy it had become a reality.
“The students are excited and cannot wait to move to the new school. They keep on asking when they are moving to the new block. It is going to be a good environment for them to study well. The (old) staffroom was very congested but the teachers now have a better condition,” Kamundi said.
READ ALSO: Boost as motivational speaker donates uniform JSS Machakos
He said more parents have brought their children this term, attracted by the new look.
Head teacher Frederick Mujumbe said the student population was increasing.
“It is exciting that the children in the community now have a modern school and we thank the government and Dr Bucha for actualisation of this project,” Mr Mujumbe said.
He said having flush toilets and enough room in the classrooms was exciting not only to the pupils but also to the teachers.
Apart from the new block, Bucha has also ensured there is a street lights within the said school compound for security purposes.
By Jeff Mwangi.
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
>>> Click here to stay ahead with the latest national news.
