Shivagala Primary School Principal Mr. Anthony Manguya Napali (left) and KPC Foundation Manager Ms. Rachael Gathoni (right) get a feel of the new classroom and desks donated by KPC Foundation. Looking on are students from the school and Board members/HANDOUT
The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Foundation has injected Sh9 million into the construction of a 180-capacity girls’ dormitory at Bhukaywa Secondary School and 87-capacity classrooms at Shivagala Primary School in Kakamega county.
The newly commissioned infrastructure is anticipated to ease congestion and curb the spread of communicable diseases in the schools.
The boost comes in the wake of the introduction of Junior Secondary School (JSS) in primary schools, which has resulted in heavy congestion in majority of public schools and lamentations from school heads on a shortage of funds to advance operations in their respective learning institutions.
Speaking during the commissioning of the facilities, KPC Foundation Manager Racheal Gathoni stated that the magnitude of the challenges facing the education sector requires a collective effort to bridge the gaps.
KPC Foundation Manager Ms. Racheal Gathoni (left), Bhukaywa Secondary School Principal Mr. Michael Ochiel (center) and Kakamega Women Representative Hon. Elsie Busihile Muhanda (right) inspect a newly commissioned girls' dormitory at Bhukaywa Secondary School/HANDOUT
“From a corporate point of view, we understand that education is the bedrock of driving out poverty, promoting sustainable development, and fostering economic growth. It is also not lost on us that whilst the government continues to play an important role in ensuring students receive quality education, the scale of challenges in the education sector calls for united action to close the gaps," Ms Gathoni said.
“The facilities we have commissioned here today will go a long way in ensuring that the schools are able to accommodate the students in habitable conditions. Moreover, the construction and equipping of the classrooms will improve the academic performance, help to reduce the spread of communicable diseases, and boost enrolment into Grade 9."
The classrooms will accommodate Junior Secondary School students and allow for increased teacher, student interactions.
The classes are equipped with modern features like whiteboards, book storage facilities and noise-proof ceilings.
Elsie Busihile Muhanda, Kakamega County Women Representative, lauded the KPC Foundation for their efforts in advancing social equity through education.
“The Kakamega County Government is committed to ensuring that all students acquire quality education, and we applaud organisations like KPC Foundation who recognise the pivotal role that education plays in shaping the future and invest in the same," she said.
"The kind gesture marks a significant milestone in the journey towards empowering Kakamega County youth and transforming our communities. The classrooms and dormitory commissioned today are not just structures - they are a testament to the power of partnership in creating opportunities for our children."
Also present at the
commissioning ceremonies were the Director of Public Prosecution Renson
Ingonga, Kakamega County Officials, the school principals, board and staff.
Since its establishment in
2016, KPC Foundation has invested Sh200 million in the construction of
38 structures comprising of laboratory, classrooms, administration blocks,
dormitories, and ablution blocks in various schools and impacted more than 12,000
beneficiaries