Pupils get classroom after eight years under tree

Narok, Kenya: Pupils from Chemagel Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) centre have a reason to smile. Area MP Patrick Ntutu yesterday issued a Sh850,000 cheque to build a classroom after years of learning under a tree.

Speaking yesterday when he visited the school, the Narok West MP said it was unacceptable for the 74 pupils to learn in such a harsh environment, in this age and era.

Mr Ntutu regretted that the Narok county government had not done anything for the pupils even after being in power for two years.

"The establishment of infrastructure in ECDE centres is the mandate of the county government. But since nothing has been done, we have decided to use part of our Constituency Development Fund to ensure the right of these pupils to education is not interfered with," said Ntutu.

OTHER CHALLENGES

"Every Kenyan child has a right to quality and affordable education. But this will remain a pipe dream if learners are made to study in such harsh conditions," he added.

According to Ann Masas, a teacher at the centre, learning is usually halted during rainy seasons and when it is too hot for the pupils.

The centre, which has been in operation for the last eight years was established because most schools are far for the young learners.

"As you can see, we have been learning under a tree all this time. Unfortunately during rainy seasons we are forced to cut short learning. The same happens when it is also very hot for the little ones," said Ms Masas.

She called on the county government to consider hiring one of them for the centre in the ongoing ECDE recruitment.

"We have gone without salaries for a long time but we are optimistic that we shall be given first priority in the hiring of ECDE teachers that is currently under way," she said.

She said a neighbour to the centre is the one keeping the centre's chalkboard and learning materials.

Area Education Officer Stanley Kirui said a primary school will be established near the centre, adding that registrations have commenced.

"The ministry of education has promised to post two teachers to the centre, as we wait for the establishment of a primary school," said Mr Kirui.

Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Tunai says the hiring of 600 nursery tutors on permanent and pensionable terms has commenced. He said the 30 wards will each be given 20 slots.

The county had planned to start hiring in January last year but were forced to abandon the exercise after Teachers Service Commission (TSC) went to court to challenge the constitutionality of hiring ECDE teachers by county governments.

COURT CASE

"We cannot allow our children to go unattended to yet we have well trained tutors. As we await for the determination of the court case, we have decided to recruit instructors to help our children build a good foundation," said Mr Tunai.

He called on the TSC to withdraw the case from the courts so that the teachers can be employed in the varoues ECDC centres.

"There are several people who have trained as nursery teachers but they have remained jobless because of the misunderstanding between the commission and the counties. County governments only want to improve the lives of these teachers," he said.