Samburu school closed over safety concerns

Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda. She said money from the CDF kitty will be used to fund construction of new classrooms at Lalaing’ok Primary School before May. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The government has closed Lalaing’ok Primary School in Samburu indefinitely over lack of pit latrines and unfavourable learning conditions.

The pupils were asked  to report to neighbouring schools.

More than 200 pupils who have been learning in the school from Standard One to Standard Four have remained at home after the government closed their school on Monday.

Samburu Education Director Albert Langat said the school was closed because some classrooms had cracks on the walls.

"It is clearly endangering the lives of our pupils and teachers in the school. We made the decision to shut the school to avert a disaster," Mr Langat said.

He also said that pit latrines in the school were in a deplorable situation.

"The latrines had cracks and were sinking," he said.

Mr Langat said he is working to ensure learning resumes soon in the school.

"The government will put up quality classrooms and not temporary ones. We will make sure learning resumes as soon as possible," Mr Langat said.

Parents who spoke to the Nation said children have been forced to stay at home following the government’s decision.

They said that other schools are miles away.

“My child is nine years old and cannot trek for more than five kilometers to go to school,” Mr Wilson Lekorpita, who is a parent at the school, said.

Parents who held a meeting at the school on Tuesday resolved to build a temporary structure so that their children can complete first term.

Meanwhile, Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda said that she will use funds from the CDF kitty to build new classrooms at the school during the April holiday.

The MP donated Sh50,000 to help put up temporary structures.

“We will build two temporary structures in the next two days and build permanent ones before the second term begins,” she said.