Marsabit primary turns 70 amid deteriorating infrastructure

By Nyabande Orwa.

Marsabit Primary and Junior Secondary School is appealing for urgent intervention to address deteriorating infrastructure and other challenges affecting learning and the safety of pupils and students.

The school’s Board of Management (BOM) chairperson, Samuel Duritu, said the condition of some classrooms had become a concern, particularly with the expected El Niño rains. He said several classroom windows lacked glass panes, exposing learners to cold weather and rain.

“This El Niño season, students are suffering so much due to the cold,” Duritu said.

Duritu also raised concerns over inadequate space in the staffroom, saying teachers were crowded and lacked sufficient working desks. The school also has limited space for sporting activities, denying learners an adequate playground to develop their talents.

The BOM chairperson further called on the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to intervene over a large snake reportedly living in trenches within the school compound. The trenches were created by water flowing from Marsabit Mountain during periods of heavy rainfall.

“KWS should come for their animal, which is posing a threat to students in this school,” Duritu said.

He also highlighted the poor condition of teachers’ houses, calling for support to improve the facilities.

On security, the school’s headteacher, Fatuma Kato, appealed to stakeholders to help construct a perimeter wall around the entire school compound. She said the absence of a wall had contributed to learners sneaking out of school without the knowledge of teachers.

“We have had so many quarrels with parents who complain that their children are sneaking out of school without our knowledge, only to engage in bad behaviour,” Kato said.

Kato said the school had begun mobilising stakeholders and plans to hold a fundraising drive to raise money for some of the urgent improvements. The school also plans to use the upcoming World Environment Day activities in October 10 to bring stakeholders together and explore ways of supporting the institution.

Marsabit Primary and Junior Secondary School is marking its 70th anniversary this year, providing an opportunity for former pupils, parents, community members and other stakeholders to support the school as it seeks to improve its learning environment.