Msambweni Secondary School in Kwale County once faced a challenging situation where students were forced to sleep in classrooms due to a severe lack of boarding facilities.
This dire situation, however, took a positive turn when Base Titanium, through the Community Development Agreement Committee (CDAC), stepped in to address the issue.
Recognizing the urgent need for proper boarding facilities, it allocated Ksh15 million to construct a modern dormitory.
CDACs were established in 2021 as part of the commitment to fulfill the 2016 Mining Act.
The Australian mining company normally cedes one per cent of its annual revenue to fund CDAC for community development, which is different from the corporate social responsibility programmes.
The newly constructed dormitory, which has a capacity to accommodate 150 students, has significantly improved the living conditions at Msambweni Secondary School.
Students now have a dedicated space to rest, allowing them to focus better on their studies and enjoy a healthier and more supportive learning environment.
The school’s Deputy Principal Andrew Wetoto said the intervention by Base Titanium has not only transformed the physical infrastructure for learning but has also uplifted the spirit of the students, giving them a renewed sense of hope and motivation to excel in their academic pursuits.
“There has been a noticeable improvement in the students’ academic performance and overall well-being. With a proper place to sleep, the students are more alert and engaged in their classes, and the atmosphere at the school has become more positive and supportive,” he said.
“With the ability to accommodate more students in the boarding facility, the school’s enrollment has risen from 450 to 600 students,” he added.
He said the expanded capacity has allowed the school to accept more students from distant areas who require boarding, broadening the reach of its educational services.
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He emphasized that while the recent improvements have made a significant difference, the number of students is still growing rapidly.
He expressed concern that waiting until the existing dormitories become overcrowded again would not be ideal and urged for proactive measures to accommodate the increasing student population.
Msambweni CDAC Secretary Rose Chyalo mentioned that there are plans to further enhance the dormitory by extending it into a one-storey building in the future.
She however regretted that they won’t be able to assist much since Base Titanium is expected to end mining operations by the tail end of December.
“We can’t promise much because you know that CDACs are funded by Base Titanium which is set to close business this year,” she said, asking more stakeholders to intervene to support the school.
Parents and community members have also voiced their concerns, expressing the hope that the government will take a more active role in supporting schools that have been heavily dependent on corporate funding.
By Shaban Omar
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