Muting’ong’o Primary School closed down over unsafe buildings

A condemned classroom block at Muting'ong'o Primary School. [Chrispen Sechere, Standard]

Over 600 pupils at Muting’ong’o Primary School in Malava sub-county may have to stay at home a little longer when schools reopen on January 3.

The school was closed down by public health department due to dilapidated classrooms.

Benson Khayisie Mulupi, the headteacher, told The Standard that six classrooms have developed deep cracks and pose a risk to learners.

Officials from the health department found several structures on the school compound unfit for use after inspection on December 20, 2018, and ordered the institution closed.

“It is true most of the buildings are dilapidated and have huge cracks. In fact, they look like they could collapse any time,” said Mr Mulupi.

Some of the buildings, including the school store and kitchen, had been condemned earlier after huge cracks were seen on the walls and floors.

Under tree

The school was established in 1989 but has not been given a facelift since, save for two classrooms that were set up by CDF kitty. It has over 600 pupils and 10 teachers.

Mulupi said Sh1.8 million was spent on construction of the two classrooms and that they expected more funding to put more classrooms.

“We hope a solution will soon be found since learning will greatly be affected and learners will be forced to study under the tree since the condemned classrooms are endangering their lives,” he said.

He appealed to the national government and well-wishers to help them raise funds to put up new structures.

The school also lacks water since the community pump which it depended on broke down.

Kakamega North Public Health Officer Boaz Gichana said the poor state of classes was posing a danger to teachers and pupils.

He asked the management committee to ensure corrective measures are taken before learning resumes.

“The block housing classes 8, 7, 6, 5, the store and the kitchen is hereby condemned and no learning should take place from the same building as a measure to safeguard the pupils from fall of the same building. The condemned structure should be demolished with immediate effect,” he said.

He said the school should construct eight more classrooms to ease congestion and a permanent kitchen should also be constructed.

“The classrooms constructed 30 years ago have cracks all over and the roofs can cave in anytime. The kitchen is dilapidated and therefore condemned. ECDE twin block built by the county government and twin block built by the CDF are the only structures in good condition,” he said.