Collapsed toilet forces pupils to stay at home

A latrine that collapsed at Kobodo Primary school in Ndhiwa constituency on May 17, 2019. [James Omoro/Standard]

Pupils at a local primary school have been sent home indefinitely after a latrine collapsed forcing the school to be shut.

Already the pupils of Kobodo Primary school in Ndhiwa Constituency have spent the last one week at home.

According to parents who were interviewed, the school management said operations cannot go on if pupils have nowhere to answer their nature calls.

When The Standard visited the school last Friday morning, there were no pupils in the school. Some parents have already volunteered to build a latrine, having grown worried about when their children will resume learning.

 They said that they are now concerned that the collapse of a latrine could derail their children's future.

“Our children have not attended any classes since Monday when the toilet collapsed. This is a serious problem that needs a quick solution,” said Joseph Magola, a parent.

Others have complained that the situation could negatively affect their children who are going to sit for this year's Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE).

They appealed to area MP Martin Owino to intervene and save the school from the trouble it is facing.

Area Assistant Chief Enose Nyawade criticised the school management and blamed it for the collapse of the latrine.

Mr Nyawade wondered how a latrine that was built only six months ago could have collapsed.

He accused the school headteacher Benson Ogutu for allowing a shoddy job to be undertaken by the builders.

When contacted, Ogutu denied the school had been closed.  He said the pupils had not been in school since they were attending a sports event at a neighbouring school.

“We are in a sports season. Anybody saying the school is closed is lying," said Ogutu.