Mbeere south: It was a relief for teachers, parents, and learners of Karura Primary School in Mbeere South Constituency, Embu County, whose two classes' roof was ripped off by strong winds after Senator Alexander Mundigi mobilized resources to renovate the affected classes.
According to Kenya News Agency, the incident took place two weeks ago on a weekend, when learners were out of school. The destruction, however, caused congestion in the school, and frantic efforts had to be made to accommodate the affected learners in other classes to allow continuity of studies. Parents and teachers revealed that some of the affected pupils had been forced into a dilapidated classroom, with some parents even considering transferring their children to other schools.
Mundigi said he was moved by the plight of the learners and had to mobilize funds both from his personal resources and friends to address the situation. He added that no child should suffer simply because of infrastructural challenges that can be solved when leaders and communities join hands. "I had no option but to act quickly. Our children deserve safe and dignified learning spaces, and that is what we are working to restore here," he said.
His donation was received with jubilation from parents, pupils, and teachers who had been struggling to maintain learning under very difficult conditions. Many described it as a lifeline for the school. The School's PTA Chairperson, Charity Muthoni, praised the move, saying the affected learners will soon return to proper classrooms. "Some of us were losing hope, but with this help, our children will stay in school and continue their education comfortably," Muthoni said.
Other parents echoed similar sentiments, stressing that the renovation will provide pupils a safe space to learn and reduce overcrowding in the already dilapidated classroom where they had been squeezed. Teachers equally hailed the senator's effort, pointing out that the repair will not only restore structures but also uplift the morale of learners who had begun losing concentration.
Meanwhile, Mundigi also cautioned parents in the area against allowing their children to engage in sand harvesting, which was the main economic activity in the region, warning that the illegal activity was robbing minors of education and endangering their future. He reminded parents that the government had invested heavily in education and that children should be in class, not in the sand harvesting business. "It is against the law for children to be involved in sand harvesting. As leaders, we cannot stand by and watch our young people's education being disrupted by activities that put their safety and future at risk," Mundigi warned.