Pupils nursing burns after science lesson turns tragic

Kakamega, Kenya; Eleven pupils of Shisango Primary School in Kakamega County are nursing facial burns after an accident during a science lesson experiment.

The Class Four pupils are being treated at the Kakamega County General Hospital. Mr Edward Akhonya, their teacher acquired some burns and is receiving treatment at Sonak Community Medical Centre.

“I have been in this profession for last 35 years. We have been doing similar experiments but this has never happened to me, it was such a shocking experience,” Akhonya said.

Akhonya, who is nursing injuries on his right leg said he wanted to demonstrate to the pupils whether soil contains moisture and other living organisms using a lantern lamp and methylated spirit when one pupil accidentally spilled the spirit. The pupils have been relocated to another class due to trauma.

Pupils who spoke to The standard on Saturday said they were still shocked and had requested they be moved to another class. Sylvia Okuna and Ethel Natasha were among the 86 pupils who had gathered for the science experiment.

“The teacher had gathered us for the experiment, he told us to surround the table which he was using to carry out the practical. He was holding the lamp while one of us was holding the methylated spirit which spilled to the lantern and exploded,” said Natasha.

She said they were forced to scamper for safety through a tiny door as the class has heavy meshed windows.

Tiny door

“We ran out through the tiny door, some pupils sustained injuries during the scuffle but they aren’t as bad as those who got burnt,” said Okuna.

The school deputy head teacher Simon Tungani said well-wishers helped them rush the casualties to the nearest Elukhambi clinic where they received first aid before being transferred to Kakamega County General Hospital.

“Well-wishers helped us to rush the victims to the nearest clinic for first aid then they took them to the county hospital. The teacher was taken to Sonak Hospital and is responding well to treatment,” said Tungani.

He called on parents to be patient and bear with the situation since it was an accident. “My main aim was to teach pupils and not to cause the accident and I appeal to parents of the affected pupils to be persevering and pray for our quick recovery,” said Akhonya.

Ms Elsie Muhanda, the county executive in charge of health, visited the pupils in hospital assured parents the county government would settle all the hospital bills.

“We are saddened by what happened and we assure parents we will handle the hospital bill and ensure their children get intensive medication to recover quickly,” said Muhanda.

Dr Rosemary Atieno in charge of the pupils’ medication at the hospital said they sustained one to 15 per cent burns.

“The admitted pupils are nine and are in stable condition. Two were treated and discharged immediately. Those admitted will be here for at least one week but parents should not be worried as we are taking good care of them,” said Dr Atieno.