Health officials order school’s indefinite closure

By DANIEL PSIRMOI

BUNGOMA COUNTY: More than 600 pupils of Kimobo Primary School in Kapsokwony division were sent home indefinitely after a public health inspection.

Public health and sanitation officials from Mt Elgon district ordered the immediate closure of the school on Tuesday afternoon, barely a week after the pupils reported for the first term, due to poor sanitation.

Mt Elgon District Public Health Officer John Nyamongo said the school lacked an adequate number of pit latrines. And congestion in the available classrooms was cited as a danger to pupils in case of a disease outbreak.

Leaking roofs

“The school, which has over 600 children, only has four pit latrines. Some of the children have been forced to use the latrines of a nearby secondary school. It will remain closed until new pit latrines are constructed,” said Nyamongo.

He added that there was need to build more classrooms as the existing ones were not adequate.

“More than 60 children squeeze into the available classrooms  against the recommended 40. Some of the classrooms have leaking roofs, exposing the learners to inhumane conditions especially during heavy rains,” said Nyamongo.

Emily Tawarar, the school head teacher, appealed to well-wishers and the area MP John Serut, through the CDF kitty, to intervene and help the institution set up the vital structures.

“This is an emergency. We are appealing to anybody who can chip in and save the situation so that the pupils can return to school and learn like their counterparts across the country,” said Mrs Tawarar.

Meanwhile, learning in Kewabrang Primary School in Kaptama was interrupted after parents stormed the institution protesting the poor performance of their children in last year’s KCPE examination.