Move to turn classrooms into toilets rejected

Muranga, Kenya: Management of Gitugu Primary School, which is facing possible closure, have taken a drastic decision to save their institution.

Public health officials have threatened to close the school due to poor sanitation and they have now opted to convert a block of classrooms into 32 toilets to serve 517 pupils and 22 teachers.

Headmaster Wilson Ndaiga said the decision was taken following lack of space to put up new toilets and the school's hilly topography which makes construction a costly affair.

STRONGLY OPPOSED

"Having more toilets will help us address the sanitary challenges we are facing. The idea was floated to parents who also endorsed it," Mr Ndaiga said.

The headmaster said this during a tour by Governor Mwangi wa Iria, of development projects projects in Kanyenya-ini ward, Kangema sub-county.

The decision was, however, met with resistance from the county administration who said the move will discredit the region.

"The county leadership has embarked on a campaign aimed at increasing school enrolment and such a strategy will only serve to give the region a bad name," the governor said.

Mr Wa Iria said part of this programme includes converting some of the county's primary schools into boarding institutions as a way of increasing contact hours between pupils and teachers.

NO CHOICE

Asking the headteacher not to go ahead with their proposal, the governor said his administration will help parents construct new toilets so that the classrooms are not affected.

Kanyenya-ini Ward Rep Peter Kihungi lauded the move saying parents were forced to take the decision due to lack of funds.

"Most of these parents are tea growers who lack the capacity to fund such a project on their own," he said.