Protests as village's only school closed

A section of Maciaro Primary School in Rongai sub-county in Nakuru. [Kipsang Joseph/Standard]

Residents yesterday held a peaceful demonstration to protest the Government's failure to register the only public primary school at Maciaro village in Rongai.

Maciaro Primary School, which was commissioned in 2016, has been closed down, crushing residents' hopes that it would be registered.

“In 2016, the school had Standard One and Two learners. Four other classrooms, two offices and toilets are now complete. We have supplied the Ministry of Education with the necessary documents but it is yet to be registered," said Helen Wanjiku, a resident.

Parents of pioneer learners transferred their children to other schools out of frustrations, the protesters said.

After the commissioning of the school, the Government posted two teachers who left months later.

“One of the teachers was due for retirement before the year ended while the second one was transferred to another school. Children were left under no one's care. We had no option but to transfer our children,” said Wanjiku.

The children, a majority of them from poor families, walk for 10km to access education at Mercy Njeri Primary School.

Jeremiah Mathenge said the long distance their children walk compromises the learners' safety.

“We fear for our children especially the girls. The route is bushy and is not safe for the children. They leave home at dawn and make it back when it is nearly dark,” he said.

Parents of learners at Maciaro Primary School's nursery section - who are expected to join Standard One in January - have to take them to other schools far from home. The nursery section has remained operational despite the problems facing the primary school section.

The project was started 15 years ago and was funded by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). It was inherited by the county government upon inception of devolution.

With six classes complete and construction materials for the remaining two classrooms already delivered, residents also managed to lobby for the facility to be connected with electricity and water.

“The project has turned into a white elephant even after millions of shillings were spent in electricity and water supply. The Education ministry is now punishing our children with the long distances they have to cover daily,” said Priscila Wangui.

The residents added that the school had turned into a playground for monkeys from the neighbouring Menengai Crater. They expressed fears that it may soon turn into a hideout for criminals, considering that vandals had started destroying school property.

“We have been finding personal items including beddings belonging to unknown persons inside the classrooms,” said Ms Wangui. The county director for education was not immediately available for comment.